Christmas seems to come earlier every year – or at least the marketing and advertising frenzy that precedes it. Festive madness is becoming even more all-conquering since the arrival of Black Friday in the UK, but how has the way Brits shop and think about Christmas changed?

More than 200 million Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold since 2003, attracting a cult-like following in the process. Its arrival is considered the ‘start of fall’, welcomed online with excitement worthy of a homecoming queen. How did a hot drink become the icon of all things autumnal?

On dinner tables across the US, eating dessert is on the decline, while healthier ingredients are enjoying their time at the top. More interesting, still, is the renaissance of the home-made meal. But what’s got Americans tying their apron strings, and heading back into the kitchen?

A quick search on Instagram finds 243,500 photos with the hashtag #Friendsgiving. Gen Yers have been embracing the potluck-style celebration of friendship over the years and soft drink creator Izze plans to use the holiday's 20-something appeal to its advantage.