When does Christmas really start for you?...

[Badvocsanta]

...I think for me it's today.
Bought the big double issue of the radio times :)
Hand delivered family cards.
Decs up.
What about you?

[GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy]

Sunday before Christmas when we have our big extended family gathering. Big meal then back to someone's house to pack their living room to the rafters and eat all their Quality St. Lovely.

[YourHandInMyHand]

We have a family gathering at my mums putting her tree up. Our kids (9 cousins aged 6m -10yrs) bounding around all excited to see each other and high on sugar. Nana talking very LOUDLY. Me and sis in the kitchen (hiding and drinking wine) helping. My mum not at all organised. Tree still in loft, food gets burnt.

Cava gets opened. Kids play. Baubles gets put on with great enthusiasm. I love it. One of those pull your hair out but wouldn't miss it Christmas moments!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I put the wreath on the front door today .
Apart from the Advent Tree and the Elf on the Shelf, that's as far as I got.

Went out for lunch today as DS birthday last week, we don't put any decorations up till after his birthday.

We might get the decorations organised next Sunday.
Family day out next Saturday, decorations Sunday.
Then DC have their last week at school (finish on 21st. I finish on 20th )

So I reckon ours will start on the 15th.

[YDdraigGoch]

Tree goes up the Saturday before Christmas, and that's when it starts really, though we are deep into school Christmas concerts etc already.

[sausagesandwich34]

half past 4 on christmas eve when I shut the shop for my christmas break

it then ends at 9am on boxing day when I go back to work

[Witco]

Christmas eve for me. I hate the build up in the weeks before, it sucks all the good out of it for me.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Christmas Eve for us, the tree won't go up until then.

[OryxCrake]

The day before Christmas Eve, as rellies start to arrive on Christmas Eve so we like to be ready - but not before this. Otherwise, Christmas lasts too long!

[baileysontherocks]

when he big food shop is done im thinking the 21st dec this year then i wont have to leave to buy anything else :)

[lapsedorienteerer]

Normally the weekend before Christmas, but as DS and I are going away for the week before Christmas, back 22nd, we've just put the tree up today.

[Annunziata]

The night of the 13th, for St Lucy's Day on the 14th.

[fuzzpig]

I think this year it'll be the 21st, in the evening after school/work (or 22nd if we are too tired). That's when we are planning to put the tree up, and we will settle down to a movie with the fairy lights on :)

[PatTheHammer]

For some it's when they see the awful coca-cola lorry advert. For me I'd say I start to feel really festive once I've heard a combination of 'Stop the Cavalry', 'All I want for Christmas is you' and 'Happy Xmas, War is over' on the radio. This year I reached that particular benchmark on Saturday. So it's all started as far as I'm concerned!
Tree goes up first weekend of December nowadays, feels like the whole month is one big build up. My mum used to wait till the day we broke up from school and we'd put it up in the evening whilst baking mince pies and sausage rolls. My kids would EXPLODE if I made them wait that late now

[fuzzpig]

Although there is a family carol service on 16th in a nearby church which I'd love to go to and would certainly set the mood!

[ImperialSantaKnickers]

Next weekend when the decs will go up. We use a lot of evergreens, if we put them up too soon they look manky by The Day.