That just the sight of this shop gives me the rage!?

[nineanimals]

Now I'm not a Scrooge by any means but it really annoys me that every year Christmas starts earlier and earlier. As far as I'm concerned Christmas should happen during December only and let the rest of the year be "normal"

So here we are in the Isle of Wight during Easter, enjoying the lovely spring weather etc etc and what do I spot? This shop! And it was open! And there were people in there! And just the sight of it gave me the rage!

TBH I'm amazed the place can afford to keep going but obviously there are enough people out there willing to shop for Christmas stuff all year round.

So AIBU to be annoyed by this?

🎄

There was a Christmas Shop in Lechlade when we were courting. The little wooden dangly clock that DH bought me is my most prized decoration at Christmas. It would have been October when we went in though! I think it's lovely.

YABU

Normal shops doing Christmas in October: wrong
Specific Christmas shops: normal

There's was one in St Andrews for at least 20 years, it closed recently though. Tourists would buy Scottish Christmas things during the summer - I presume tartan baubles etc.

My schoolfriend who did a summer job there though found the music infuriating. Deck the halls in July!

Save your rage for real troubles and worries

Is the one in Stratford upon Avon still there?

I would LOVE that!

YABU. That looks like an independently owned shop. Someone's livelihood. You've got that stock, and the shop, year round. It would cost a fortune to restock and rebrand across the year. If people want other businesses other than chains to sell Christmas stuff this is part of it.

Normal shops doing Christmas in October: wrong
Specific Christmas shops: normal

This is exactly my view.

There was one on the Haymarket, London. Perhaps it's still there. It was always packed with Japanese tourists because though I don't think Japan does traditional Christmases, they are very big on kitsch.

I guess Edinburgh, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds are regulars on the Japanese tourist trail. And seemingly now the Isle of Wight. Who knew..?

Normal shops doing Christmas in October: wrong
Specific Christmas shops: normal

Completely agree.
Lots of, usually touristy, places have Christmas shops.

The best one ever (IMO) is Kathe Wohlfahrt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber it is AMAZING. I went in there in the height of summer and DH struggled to get me out.

But like some PP I like to buy a new Christmas decoration every year, preferably from somewhere we have been on holiday.

I've been to that one out rothenburg. It's absolutely fantastic and I was happy it was open in July.

I will join in the others who say they always bring back a Christmas decoration from holidays, the only place I have failed to find one was Costa Rica. There are Christmas Shops everywhere.

Yabu what exactly is the problem?

Only 248 days till Christmas.
We should all be putting our sprouts on and shopping for trees.

PurpleDaisies It was July when we visited too. Afterwards we had lunch in the square outside and DD and I were desperate to try Apple Strudel, which came warmed. It was a boiling hot day and DH thought we were both quite mad!

IAmAmy

Thinking ahead - does anyone know if there is a Christmas Shop in Barcelona? I have always fancied having those extended nativity scenes popular in Spain - particularly the one where someone is doing his business in a corner. Caganer?

Yes YABU there are lots of different types of shops, some types I would never go into, but other people like them so why the rage?
I don't drink or smoke or gamble for example so would never go into an off-licence, bookies or tobacconists, which are shops which could potentially cause a lot more harm than an innocent Christmas shop.
To misquote you TBH I'm amazed these places can afford to keep going but obviously there are enough people out there willing to spend money in these places all year round

I love Christmas shops, there are two in Edinburgh now and both seem very busy I always like to pop in when visiting Edinburgh
I visited the one in Stratford-upon-Avon last summer when I was there on holiday and actually bought a lovely bauble as well.
A lot of the National Trust properties in Scotland sell tartan Christmas tree decorations all year round as well.
There is obviously a big market out there.

YABU. It's been there for years so obviously has enough tourist trade to get by. You are not obligated to go inside. They are not standing outside assaulting you with tinsel and blasting Christmas tunes. It sells little ornaments and handmade trinkets specifically for Christmas -it isn't a normal shop putting up the decorations in August. Just don't go in!

MaryZ, is that you?

There, there.

I wonder if they get bad luck for leaving their decs up all year?

There is one in London, near London Bridge Station in Hays Galleria

It always baffles me when you see people in there, buying stuff, in May

WHY? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

YABU. Sheesh.

A brief guide for those whose thinky bone is broken:

WHY?

Because they want to.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Do you mean "what are they doing?" As far as I can tell, they are buying Christmas-related items.

HTH.

Did you speak with the owners? I know them and they are lovely. They've had that place for a least 15 years and sell the most beautiful ornaments imported from Bavaria and Hesse.

That one near London Bridge in Hays Galleria is shut now. I don't think there's any others in London