Tis the season to be jolly, but what if retailers are starting that season as early as August or September? Christmas, the festive season, has always been a time for many of us to spend time with family and friends, to rest as the year winds up, and to engage in shopping sprees to ensure we can all give each other presents on Christmas Day, much to the delight of retailers. But when did this season become so commercial, and why is it now starting so early? Steve and Ben take a look at the cultural phenomenon of Christmas, whether or not retailers are jumping in too early to make more money, and to spare a thought for those who do not enjoy this time of year as much as the rest of us.

Listen to the audio version of this episode at this link: MP3 Audio (RSS)