To think shops have hit a new low - bloody Xmas decorations in August!

[PandoraRocks]

I was in Home Bargains today and noticed an aisle full of Xmas tat. Is this a record? Why do people want to wish away the year? We're still officially in Summertime FGS. I'm not even allowed to enjoy it and resent being forced to consider Xmas now.

Back in the Seventies, we didn't put the tree up until a week before Xmas. It was more exciting as there was less of a build up to Xmas day. I can't stand the months of marketing the season and the blatant commercialisation. It has increased my dislike of the whole effing palaver and I'm just glad when it's over!

They want people spending money on tat now because once we get to October, people won’t have the money.

I worked in a store last year. We had people twisting about advent calenders being out before halloween costumes. Some of the same customers were back in on the 30th november complaining we had none left 🙄

@NancyJoan it's not stopping me enjoying the summer. That's just the point. I've enjoyed this fabulous summer a great deal and really don't want to be reminded that winter's on the way. I'm one of the MN winter haters 😄. Plus once September arrives, it seems like it's Xmas in ten minutes.
It's just that I don't remember Xmas stuff in the shops before September last year. I guess that retailers are mindful of the coming carnage regarding energy prices. And Xmas will never be the same for me as my mother died a few weeks before it.

It’s the same every year. Small section out before Halloween end of August / start of September then rest after Halloween. Easter eggs come out on Boxing Day and the same moans are heard every year like it doesn’t happen every single year.

You might not want to think about Christmas yet, others like to buy small amount at a time leading up to it and spread the cost.

It happens every year. This isn't new

The Christmas creep it's called, shops start to creep in their christmas stock about this time of year to generate sales. It's the same with summer items appearing in February. Last year I couldn't find a hot water bottle in February in any shops near me but I could find factor 50 and spring clothing.

We are kindred spirits! I booked a Christmas lights trail today and many dates were already sold out, so it’s not the shops “forcing” Christmas thinking on people.

Shops have had Christmas decorations in since August for many years.

Just walk past Mrs Grinch 😀

Mrs Grinch was light hearted by the way!

This isn't new. I can remember the Christmas Bunty/Dandy/etc Annuals used to be on sale in late August alongside the school books and that was back in the 70s. Just ignore it all until ur ready

Im the opposite and it hasn’t been a fabulous summer for me at all but one which has been far too hot and far too dry for far too long. I’m relieved to see nights drawing in, and seeing Christmas things at the end of August (and it’s very nearly September after all) gives me hope, as another pp mentioned.

I can see that it’s a painful time though, with your mother 💐

Morrisons

It is s new low and has not always been that way. To be pelted with xmas guff for 5 months when its a capitalists holiday is mentally exhausting. Why should we be forced in to debt to buy other people stuff when in this day and age all people do is treat themselves. Summer and autumn is nothing to do with xmas. False holiday anyway and should only be for those who actually practice religion. Its always amazing how non religious folks hate anything religious except xmas because they're greedy for gifts.

Winter solstice was celebrated by pagans in the Uk long before for Christians came along. Christmas is what you make it, for alot of people gifts are only a tiny part of the festive period. Family gatherings, traditions and good food are the highlight for most, something to celebrate in the darkest of days.

I'm a senior retail leader. We have launched our Christmas Shop just a few days earlier than usual as, for the first time since Covid began, we have a good stock supply. We always launch at the end of September. Appreciate that this a month after the original post.

Also, due to COL, we can't anticipate how our customers will shop this year. People may want to spread the cost as much as possible. We expect either early purchases, or a more concentrated last minute shop this year.

But as others have stated, this is not a new phenomenon.

Jesus wasn't even born in December and most of the traditions are from pagan origins.

Some people prefer to budget for financial costs over several months and early availability suits those people. You are not being forced into debt, and you do not need to buy people stuff.

The original post was 2022 🤣😂