IT DOESN'T take long to become immersed in the sparkly season of Christmas when taking a stroll around Chelmsford city centre.
From one shop to the next, Christmas is the glowing highlight; with Hallowe'en vanishing before the event has even passed.
The supermarkets have especially embraced the festive season, the shelves bursting with chocolate galore; advent calendars of all kinds and mince pie prices constantly reducing.
The highlight of all the displays by far was the pets section, solely dedicated to Christmas treats and stockings for our festive dogs and cats.
Every shop glitters with red, green and gold decorations; but it seems the gifts are becoming more peculiar.
The first thing presented to me as I entered BHS was a Heinz Tomato Ketchup gift set, containing items such as a 'Heinz Tomato Ketchup Tin Tea Towel', or a 'Tomato Ketchup Stacking Egg Cups' set.
But why has Christmas come so early? A member of staff from Tickety Boo, a gift shop in the Meadows, said their Christmas displays were only out to keep up with other traders.
"All the other shops had got their displays out about two weeks ago, you have to join in so you don't get left behind. We don't usually get our stuff out until about November," she said.
Everywhere I looked a mountain of ostentatious teddies and reindeers stood gaily, and if you're looking to buy a life-size Father Christmas, I can safely say that it's available, fluffy beard and all.