Am I hallucinating, or is it still September? Because yesterday, I went into one of the local hardware stores and what to my wondering eyes should appear but eight rows of Christmas lights, and icicles, and pre-lit Christmas trees. Just remove from box.

Standing there in my shorts and sandals, I was sure that I was experiencing some sort of flashback.

My gag reflex is working overtime but it seems I have to start swallowing some Christmas pudding already.

I’m no marketer, but are there really that many eager Christmas light buyers in September? Or is it as I suspect – that we have to suffer this nonsense every year because it’s being shoved down our throats? And earlier and earlier?

Next thing you know, Peter Rabbit‘s bunny trail is going to be covered in tinsel. He won’t know whether to crap an egg or lay a turd.

It’s nauseating. Pass the Christmas pudding.

We haven’t even had Thanksgiving or Hallowe’en yet. Ho ho ho.

And I’m offended and appalled at the idea of Remembrance Day poppies having to compete with candy canes and tiny reindeer. It’s crass, disrespectful and downright ignorant.

Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against Christmas. But commercial enterprises are trying to turn it into a year-round, debt-inducing crusade for stuff-buying.

Do I need to learn to accept the fact that Christmas has nothing whatsoever to do with spirituality, the winter solstice, family, food and fun and everything to do with masses of lucre and just shut up and stop whining?

Or should we be making our opposition – for many of us, anyway – to this charade known? Apparently, 68% of Americans don’t want to be exposed to Christmas advertising before Thanksgiving, which in their country, takes place at the end of November. I’m sure that in Canada, the numbers are similar.

Hang on a second. Let me throw up first, and then I’ll choke down some more Christmas pudding.

Related articles

• It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas: Did Kmart Go Too Far By Airing A Holiday Ad In September? (madamenoire.com)