The Christmas bash - rather like High School Prom nite - has mushroomed in cultural significance for the British in the last 20 years.

It used to be an ad hoc night down the nearest decent pub, when you tempted out the reluctant part time drinkers in the office, so you could moan about your boss/desk position/Personnel, followed by a futile attempt to share genetic material with said part time drinkers at some late nite hotspot you'd otherwise not be seen dead in, topped off with fast food and a lingering sense of shame.

Now it's all meticulously planned,compulsory attended, often paid for by loathed management, involves formal dining, dress themes, overnight stays, spouses and partners budget airline flights, hotel bookings etc etc.

In the circumstances it pays to start thinking about it now.

...one of the local hotel venues would put The Tree up around about now, to drum up the business.

£7.75 for a ploughmans? Can make my own for about £2.50 and it will taste just as good. Anyone fancy one give me a shout - will have decent music and some right good beer none of this Pimms Pitcher shit which just doesnt go with chedder and Branstons.

Both Harrods and Selfridges have opened their Christmas shops this week ,just in case we get in a panic.

Jesus!