Is the Christmas stuff in shops earlier this year??!

[LethalToddlerElbows]

I swear it is.

Went to The Range yesterday to look for Halloween bits and honestly the store was over 50% Christmas stuff. It seemed really over the top considering it was still September yesterday.

Their halloween section was TINY and mostly shite.

Is it just me?

Waitrose today was full of Christmas bits as soon as you walked through the entrance. Mince pies, Christmas cake kits and decorative pieces.

I love Christmas, but I do agree it is very early - there were no pumpkins in sight! It does really help people spread out the cost much earlier, which is a good thing.

Ha ha

Mince pies piled high near the entrance at Lidl

Fairly standard, I think. My DD had Michael Buble on yesterday, might send her to the shops for some
mince pies tomorrow

I think it’s the volume of Christmas stuff that’s already in the shops that seems much higher than previous years.

I went to Home Bargains a fortnight ago, I wanted some of those Perspex make up organisers for my dressing table. They had an entire aisle with advent calendars and selection boxes. A whole aisle of baubles. Even the homeware aisle with the kitchen bits and crockery all seemed to be Christmas themed. I love Christmas, but it was a bit much for mid September.
I get that people want to spread the cost a bit this year but honestly, who are these people buying £1 selection boxes in September?

Never mind the shops, what's with the outbreak of Christmas threads outside the topic?

It's been one of the unwritten "rules" of MN for well over a decade that Christmas threads stay in the topic until Advent.

Why?

Because Christmas is really, really difficult for some people, and having Christmassy threads all over all the topics for months is hard. The Christmas topic is a lively, flourishing one (active pretty much all year round, and the "tumbleweed" argument simply doesn't apply) - which can be hidden by those who want to. Which also includes those who want to keep Christmas to something closer to its traditional season.

Don't shoot me for saying this. Instead, think about what I'm saying. And think about whether you want MN to continue to be a considerate site.

Unwritten rules are a recipe for exclusivity

I agree

I always think of it like the build up to spring and summer hols, all the related items in shops from early spring. So when that done end of august it’s time for Halloween and Christmas. Personally I love it as I hate summer but love winter