Australians have been reminded that Christmas is just around the corner, with only eight more acts of litigation from Bruce Lehrmann to go.

Shoppers around the country said they were grateful for the reminder. “I can’t believe there are less than ten Bruce Lehrmann defamation cases before December 25. I’ve got so much to get done before then!” Adelaide woman Tamara Jones said.

She said it was amazing how quickly the year flew by. “It’s hectic this time of year. I still haven’t bought wrapping paper and I completely forgot to check whether today’s one is the defamation appeal, the appeal of the defamation appeal, the defamation proceedings about the coverage of the defamation appeal, or the hearing about whether we need another hearing. It’s so hard to keep up.”

Legal commentator Jo Bradley said Bruce Lehrmann's court proceedings acted a bit like an Advent calendar. “Except instead of chocolate, every window reveals another court to appeal to.”

Economists warn the flurry of litigation could also weigh on productivity. “We’re losing 40,000 work hours a week just from people Googling what the case is about this time,” said one analyst.

Parents are being urged to remind children of the true meaning of the season. “No matter what you believe, we can all come together at this special time of year and say: ‘Surely this must be the last one.’”