When does the Christmas countdown start for you?

[MrsCK]

For me the first episode of the x factor signals nights starting to close in, blackberries on the bushes and the first countdown to Christmas.

When is it for you?

[ToffeeMoon]

December 1st. I won't hear a word about it till then.

[nikki1978]

Same as toffeemoon. I think xmas is spoiled by spending half the year thinking about and planning it. I like to really enjoy all the seasons fully. At the moment all I am thinking about is sunshine and spending time with the kids while they are off school. In the autumn there are lots of birthdays for my friends and family plus bonfire night and halloween.

I don't even start shopping till Dec.

[amyhamster]

The x factor starts in august doesn't it

I refuse to hear a word about it until after Halloween

[Mintyy]

1st December, like any right-minded person.

[toffeelolly]

Once the kids go back to school I can get started.

[MrsDavidBowie]

December.

[LizzieMint]

After my birthday, which is at the end of November.
Definitely not now!

[Picklepest]

Strictly come dancing starts.

[applessauce]

Blackberries are July/August

It probably begins with Advent for us. There are so many other festivals and occasions going on in between, too. E.g. autumn, harvest, halloween, bonfire night, winter solstice etc etc

[CiderwithBuda]

I have bought a present already! Shower gel for DS's stocking reduced in sale.

Countdown for me starts with the Poncetastic Xmas thread on here which is September I think.

Although I am planning on making a dessert for Xmas in next few days - apple and plum crumble base from fruit from our garden.

[MirandaWest]

After DSs birthday which is 22nd November I start thinking about Christmas a bit.

[PorridgeParty]

X Factor starting is my "yep this is it" kinda moment.

Although I've lurked and used heavily the threads on here (NC currently - be back later to normal) since Jan.

[MrsCK]

phew porridge I thought it was just me for a moment!!

don't get me wrong I don't put up the tree or anything yet but I simply live autumn and winter and x factor is the key moment for me with Christmas being the big finale if you like!

[KissMyFatArse]

Start of X factor and I've already started picking up things for my DS in sales.

[stargirl1701]

After Advent.

[BudsBeginingSpringinSight]

Hillairous so many saying they wont hear a word of xmas till dece but here they are seeking out - the old xmas boards!

[Mintyy]

Not seeking anything out at all! The Christmas threads come up on active conversations (which is how I and thousands of others use MN) and I hide them all. But this is a question about Christmas I am willing to answer at this time of year, just to balance out all the over-thinking, over-planning, over-spending and over-sharing that goes with Christmas on Mumsnet.

[doingitlikeaboss]

We've just started buying in all the extra surpises just now. We always start around now once uniforms are all in and next year's holidays paid... drags in though I hate knowing all there presents are just lying in the house when they could have them just now

[DitzyDonkey]

I start buying in September so by November I am completely finished with presents and can just enjoy my favourite time of the year.

[LokiBear]

I start picking things up and present planning about now. When I go back to school I feel like that is when the run up begins, but the proper countdown starts December 1st. By that time the presents are all bought and I can enjoy doing proper festive things stress free ?

[noideawottoget]

when i see the coca cola christmas advert on the tv for the first time. running game with the kids, whoever spots it first and pauses it for me to come and watch gets a fiver.

[VodIsGod]

4 Dec after family birthdays have been celebrated!

[BreeVDKamp]

I listened to Last Christmas whilst pinning Christmas ideas on Pinterest in bed on Sunday morning

I thoroughly enjoyed it. In hindsight I feel 99% happy, 1% ashamed.

Normally, it's Stir-Up Sunday that signals the countdown to Christmas!!

[MrsCK]

Love the Coca Cola advert...that's my permission to go into full on Christmas mode :)

I'm not ashamed of getting excited this early. I'm not just excited for Christmas, it's everything about the time of year....The leaves on the floor, smell of bonfires, chilly nights with the fire....so nope don't think it's too early to be excited for that!