When HSM1 came out on DVD just before Christmas 2006, I was working at HMV. A woman came in and asked me if I’d heard of a film called ‘High Street Musical or something’. I hadn’t. A week later, having been asked the same question at least 3 times a day by a variety of mums, I new the release date and price by heart. I still didn’t know what the hell this ‘High Street Musical’ was, nor did I care.

I swear every child in England must have got at least 2 copies of that DVD for Christmas that year. Soon our small store was packed with HSM books, posters, calendars and accessories. However it was still 2 years till I was to discover HSM, so yet again, I did not care.

This year, on the other hand, I already have my HSM 2010 calendar in addition to my HSM advent calendar (thanks, Bug), HSM Top Trumps card (thanks, Banana), HSM phone charm (thanks, Boo Boo) and HSM tissues (I sneeze a lot, okay). Bu Bo Ba did her best to prevent me from purchasing HSM magazine, but she failed. Plus, obviously, I already own all the original DVDs and soundtracks. And this is only a small sample of the HSM merchandise available this Christmas, despite the fact that the last film came out at cinema over a year ago now.

Some might say accuse Disney of shamelessly milking the last drops from the HSM market. But I say, why shouldn’t they keep alive the HSM magic as long as they can? I know that when I’m sneezing like it’s the last night on earth, my pain is eased slightly by seeing Zac Efron’s smiling face looking back at me from my tissue box. I think Santa knows what I want this Christmas.

Have a Star-Dazzle Christmas!