By Gary Campbell

If you listen closely — really listen — you’ll realize there’s something you’re not hearing: excited children, tired parents, the clink of cash registers, and the constant upbeat hum of Christmas muzak.
That’s right — only a few days of reprieve remain before the orgy of Christmas capitalism descends on our city. The moment shopping centres close on Halloween night, tiny elves (called retail employees) are out hanging lights and cueing up copies of “O Come All Ye Faithful.” The morning of November 1st, you’ll find yourself walking in a winter wonderland.
This year, the flagship Hudson’s Bay Company store on Queen has jumped the gun early. Over the past few days, they’ve been hanging lights and arranging evergreens. (The photo on the left was taken just an hour ago.)
In other words, enjoy these last few blissful days of pre-Christmas hysteria. Soon enough, we’ll all be in some big box store trying to figure out what to buy for our secret Santa.