Love has no price tag

It all started in October. One day stores were trading as usual and then, as the clock turned midnight at September's end, aisles became baubled lanes of ho ho ho, Christmas trees and decorations decked out on display.

- Hein Kaiser

The end of the year is nigh, it all screamed. Shake out your cash to buy some joy, the subtle message.

Retail just cannot help but last-gasp-wallet cash-in on any day of observation. The festive season, their biggest trade in emotional blackmail, because we all want to make it special for our kids and gift our families.