But what are the other signs that the festive season is upon us?

Well, for a start, our inbox is being deluged with nonsense press releases. For example, apparently a survey by Konditor recently revealed Liverpudlians will munch down 20 mince pies per person this festive season.

This is five pies more than the national average of 15 - and almost twice as many as Southampton or Glasgow, which came bottom of the list of 'mince pie maniacs'.

Mince pie maniacs? Really, is this what it has come to?

Meanwhile, some restaurants have started rolling out OTT, freaky Christmas menu options.

Pigs in blankets everywhere

Exhibit A, m'lud, Absurd Bird in Glasgow city centre are serving a festive burger on a brioche bun, with fried chicken, cranberry mayo, turkey bacon, cheese, pickled red cabbage and lettuce. 

Just in case that doesn't have you reaching for the Rennies, it's all topped with pigs in blankets. 

Sticking with the pigs in blankets theme, Lidl have released a pizza topped with pigs in blankets. Main pic above.

Not to be outdone, Asda are not only selling gingerbread-flavoured cheese nut they have gone a step further and put white Stilton flavoured with After Eight mints on the shelves.

Which makes Glasgow's Pizza Punks and their Christmas dinner pizza seem quite restrained.

To be fair, adding pulled turkey, candied pigs-in-blankets, rosemary roast potatoes, stuffing and plenty of gravy to a pizza is unconventional but it's still nowhere near as big a culinary crime as using pineapple to top a pizza.

Not that all the festive action is taking place in Glasgow. Edinburgh chippy Piccante has been getting in the festive spirit by battering and deep-frying Christmas pudding.

The barbarians.

Moët and Chandon cocktails  

Rather more palatable is the news that Bo & Birdy at The Blythswood has launched its festive cocktail menu.

We're going to go for their take on the Fairytale of New York, a cocktail made with Moët and Chandon Champagne.

This year, they are repeating their Christmas Film Festival in the hotel's boutique cinema. Although many of the dates are sold out there is still availability for: Love Actually, It’s A Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Bridget Jones and When Harry Met Sally.

Festive Square Eyes Cinema Club tickets are £40 per person plus a booking fee. Guests will receive afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco and popcorn.