I tried to buy a birthday card and, when I finally found the dark corner where the store manager had hidden them, I was given a choice of half a dozen uninspiring efforts. Why? Because it's almost impossible to move for red-nosed reindeer, cheerful snowmen and hat-wearing robins. Yes, folks, it seems that Christmas is imminent.
Supermarkets are crammed with Christmas puddings, tins of festive biscuits and mince pies that boast a sell-by date of mid-November. Displays of large baking tins and cooking foil urge you to be prepared - as if the Christmas turkey has to go in the oven today. There are cards, wrapping paper, gift bags and tags, crackers, tree decorations...
December 25th is a whopping 8 weeks away yet. Almost two months. (Yes, I know that at some point in mid-December I'll panic but even Panic Day is six weeks away.)
Since when did Christmas come to mean buying enough food to feed a small country? And why does it have to start so early?
I love Christmas, but I hate all the commercial crap that comes with it. Bah humbug!