When should Christmas appear in the shops?

[Bunnylady53]

I work in retail & our Christmas stuff has been out since September. I noticed yesterday that a few of my colleagues are already wearing festive shirts! It’s not even Halloween yet! I love Christmas but this is all a little bit crazy & unfair on kids too, especially little ones who won’t understand.

After remembrance day is an excellent idea!

I don't agree with the argument about spreading the cost. People can put money in savings or buy the stamps (do they still do them?) or gift cards.

Or maybe just not buy so much stuff?

November. I don't want to spend December doing Christmas shopping.

Whenever it appears though I want to to stay in the shops until after Christmas Day.
I find it miserable when you go into a shop on the 23rd and the shelves are bare and they're preparing for the January sales which should start in January.

I think actual Christmas merchandise can go up beginning of October - many people like to start early and shops would be silly to not cash in on that. But decorations going up in shops shouldn’t be until mid November - we’ve got Halloween, bonfire night and Remembrance Day so plenty going on, it annoys me when all the decorations and lights are up when we haven’t even done Halloween yet.

there is stuff out now, but they dont usually go all out till after halloween.
I honestly dont see the problem. Theres a lot of pressure around christmas, and some people get anxiety if they cant be prepared in advance. I wouldnt care if the stuff was in the shops all year round tbh, and im not even a fan of xmas

After Halloween is fine. I hate the fact most shops seem to have Halloween and Christmas on the same aisle. Get Halloween out of the way first before you start trying to flog gingerbread ffs.

December

I'd probably manage November for Chistmas stock if it's not too in your face, but definitely December for displays and music.

I do Christmas "properly" with the usual trimmings but it's not that much extra or special stuff on top of regular food shopping, and gifts are normal things. I don't go mad. Decorations have been built up gradually over the years.

It is annoying when I finally feel festive in mid-December and stock is already looking plundered because the season is swung to early. It's important to live in the season you're in. Blocking out Christmas from late summer/ early autumn is not a good thing!

I've gone to buy birthday cards in mid-August before and already choice is limited by Christmas stock

On a personal level I'd rather wait for Advent at least. However, no shop is going to want to be unpacking tinsel and arranging their Christmas display by then, while customers are getting on with their Christmas shopping elsewhere instead. There's nothing wrong with trying to be profitable. Some stores would certainly go under were it not for the Christmas season. Compressing all the Christmas crowds into a much shorter time doesn't sound great either.

If you’re posting overseas then October to give you a chance!

1st November.

On second thoughts I like the after remembrance Sunday idea.

After Halloween at the earliest but I'd love fireworks night to be more of a thing...
It's not particularly commercially though so stores just shove a locked cabinet in the corner and a sign with "we have fireworks".

Craft stores are the exception, maybe July/August but not massive displays and decs until after Halloween if you see what I mean...

I vote end of November. From a personal perspective, December is ridiculously busy for me, as I am in a music group that does Christmas concerts and carolling here there and everywhere (won't get a free weekend day until after Christmas once December hits), so if I can't do mine by the end of November I have to start rushing round in the week after work, which is just no fun!

Tbh, I don't mind the stuff being out early. Means I can spread the cost. As long as they aren't blasting Christmas songs in n September

I saw Santa yesterday - outside Selfridges (who have their greenery and little lights up around their columns). All in silver with a scooter (promo photos I suppose). Lights up down New Bond Street already.

The last week November preferably but at the very earliest after Halloween!

Any early is a disgusting offence to the natural order!

It does confuse me though if you try and make plans with family and friends for over the Christmas period to figure out numbers for lunch etc and they reply "oh I can't think about that now it's only October" but then book their August summer holiday in January? People can be weird about Christmas I guess

I always wonder how much actual "Christmas" stuff people really buy? I mean, presents are generally not Christmas-specific; you could buy them at any stage. Do people really buy that many new decorations and Christmas jumpers etc each year?

In terms of spreading the cost, you can do that by buying the non-Christmas-specific bits early (eg presents, which are most of the cost anyway), or, as someone said, just put money aside each month. I agree with PPs who said the shops do it to get you to spend more, not to help you budget.

Christmas stuff that needs to go out before December (eg Advent calendars) can go out in November, but doesn't need to be in a big Christmas display. Then at the start of December, start the real festive stuff, with shops decorated, Christmas music etc.

Retail worker here, we are full on christmas mode from monday next. Bit early for me but stock is already selling well!

@upallnightpain, yes most of them have the party food in. Lidl have even got their turkeys in.

At the latest November 1st.

The Christmas Markets and especially the one's in Edinburgh/London (Winter Wonderland) have to open as early as possible to balance the crowds.

I don't know why everyone assumes people are binning decorations. There's constant requests for second hand decorations every year, from various charities etc, so even if people aren't putting them away, they pass them on.

It would be a nightmare to have everyone shop in December for everything.

I personally think after Rememberence Day

Mid November I would say.