When the first national gambling addiction clinic opened in Soho last week, it confirmed something in the air; we appear to have gotten into the gaming habit. With depression on the up, (check your likelihood of getting it next year), why are we adding extra stress to the situation with booze fuelled open wallets?

Whilst shoppers in America who were counting on cheap Walmart finds probably weren't betting on death by trampling, it's hardly surprising that consumerism is the culprit at this time of year.

If you haven't already cottoned onto the Christmas shopping tightrope walk that's going on, you're clearly not experiencing the crunch. Whilst shoppers wait and see whether their favourite store will be forced to offer increasingly larger discounts as they hold out, even luxury brands like Chloe are cutting costs - by the second day of their monumental sample sale, bags had been reduced by a further 30% with ready-to-wear down by 50%. (If you aren't checking our sample sales, you're missing out!)

So rather than clean up at the Angels Warehouse Sale this Saturday, where garments are, literally, priceless and you only pay for the bag to stuff them in, we say hold tight, get a little therapy time on the NHS, and face your demons.

TODAY'S EVENT PICKS

Lollipop rocks shoes and festive fun. 11am - 7pm, Lollipop London, 114 Islington High Street, N1. Free.

Joâo's troubled love affair with drug-fuelled bohemia. 8:30pm, Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2, £8.50.

Hell hath no fury like cheap prints. 6pm - 9am, 55DSL, 10A Newburgh Street, W1F. Free.

London lyrics inspire artists at the One Ton Show, 12pm - 8pm, Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, EC1V. £10.