Parkin

- Hard to believe it's November already.
- Yes...
- It's as if we are careering helplessly towards the close of the year.
- I suppose so.
- I don't know where the time goes. What happened to autumn? Gone before you realised it was here.
- Mmm...
- And soon enough, it'll be the mad rush of buying presents, and stocking up the fridge, and –
- Good grief. This happens every year. It's only November. There is still an age till Christmas, if only you would step back and consider it calmly.
- But they've been selling decorations and stuffing and wrapping paper and mince pies for months already. And I haven't bought a thing yet. There will be nothing left at this rate.
- Nonsense. You are being led astray by the hyperactive marketing ploys of the major retailers. They are determined to start the Christmas season earlier each year in order to extract as much money from you as they can. It is all so unnecessary. You should stand firm, and not even think about Christmas till December arrives. One afternoon of strolling calmly around the shops, and all your preparations will be done.
- But –
- But nothing. You should relish the joys of the present day rather than worry over the distant future. Try to look forward to the unique charms that November has to offer. The sombre feast days of All Saints and All Souls. The delights of eating treacle toffee and parkin while watching some dubious celebration of effigy burning on Guy Fawkes Night.
- Of course. You're right. Now that you mention it, it's only a couple of weeks till the German Christmas Markets open in Manchester.