AIBU to think that people who put Christmas decorations up super early are just attention seekers?

[HahBumhug]

My neighbour has had her house decorated fully for Christmas now for almost two weeks- they started going up on Oct 31st. Fully lit tree in the window, outdoor lights, Christmas wreath on the door- the works.

She’s done this since she moved next door to me five years ago and I assume she did it before that too.

Since I’ve known her, she’s also posted on Insta and her WhatsApp status each year on either Christmas Day or the 26th to show her decorations coming down and a general “I can’t spend another minute looking at them” message.

If she put them up at Christmas and not at Halloween, she wouldn’t be looking at them for all that long.

She’s one of these “I’m daft me” types.

I know there are some exceptions where decorations are put up for different reasons like someone with a terminal illness, a family celebrating early before someone emigrates etc. but those are rare so I’m not factoring then into my thoughts around this.

Am I being unreasonable for thinking that someone who put Christmas decorations up at the end of Oct/early Nov is attention-seeking?

[tiggergoesbounce]

Yes you are being unreasonable.

Some people just love christmas, its fine to celebrate early.

[Purpleberet]

I prefer to wait to December cos it feels less special to have them up over a month before.

What I’m more offended by is the people who insist on tearing them down before New Years, sometimes even on Boxing Day. It’s still the festive period, whatever happened to enjoying the holidays?! A bit sad really. And ironically it’s often the same ones who’ve put them up way back in December because they just love them so much…well if you love them so much why are you so keen to take them down?!

There are some performative people who seem to see it as a competition to be first to do everything and tell everyone about it.

[Minimalme]

Doesn't irritate me at all.

I am a minimalist and that extends to Xmas - one box of decs and a plywood Xmas trees that slides together.

I adore every bit I put out and have lots of twinkly lights everywhere. Usually up towards the 7th December.

I think people who put up loads of Dec's early are barmy but I admire the effort they go to.

[DemelzaandRoss]

We put them up early because we love everything about Christmas. Also watch Christmas 24 movies.
As far as I know it’s not harming anyone else & why should anyone care about our love of the Festive season anyway.

[KateMcCallister]

We saw some trees up on the walk to school this morning. The DC requested we put ours up this weekend. I'm not an attention seeker or anything else suggested in the op, we just love Christmas.

As an aside, the actual event is quite stressful for most with cooking, gifts etc so why not enjoy it before it becomes a chore? Our tree won't come down before 12th night

[mondaytosunday]

Not sure attention seeking is right. Anyone who posts about their decorations will surely get the same attention no matter what the calendar says?
But taking it down on Christmas Day?!? That's just weird.

[RambamThankyouMam]

It's sad behaviour for over-sentimental morons who have nothing else in their lives.

[RampantIvy]

@RambamThankyouMam

It's sad behaviour for over-sentimental morons who have nothing else in their lives.

What a deeply unpleasant thing to say.

As I said earlier, I prefer to put my tree up the week before Christmas, but other people putting theirs up earlier doesn't affect me or anyone else, so why be nasty about it?

[PearlclutchersInc]

A loon maybe. Attention seeking no.

People do it because they enjoy it and it makes them feel better. Not me, I'm too lazy.

[SnotRag22]

@RambamThankyouMam

It's sad behaviour for over-sentimental morons who have nothing else in their lives.

The past couple of years we've had the decorations up earlier than usual. It's my DC1 birthday at the end of November and we always waited till after to decorate for Christmas.

Two years ago, we'd just cremated baby DC2 and then last year we were waiting on a date for baby DC3s funeral. It took everything in me to actually decorate at all. I did it for DC1.

DC1 had started asking to decorate now, and I'm of a mind to acquiesce. He remembers that it was near his birthday that they died and has in the past said how they will like to see the twinkly lights from heaven.

I'll keep being an overly sentimental moron (horrible choice of word btw) if it makes my living child happy and helps him in his grief journey.

All the best 💖

[palygold]

I'm sure Rambam wouldn't have meant her post to be applied to your particular circumstances @SnotRag22 . It was clearly generally meant.

[Thisismynamenow]

@woodhill

It is a bit much especially when there may be energy rationing etc

Not really, a wreath takes no energy, and LED lights are super low energy.

I use my Christmas tree lights instead of a lamp at night when we have our lights up and I dont turn my outside light on in December either as the lights on the house act as the main source of light instead.

I dont think my electricity bill increases at all during December.

[Always4Brenner]

When I worked I was out the house 12 hours a day I put mine up 1st December or nearest weekend I needed something to cheer me up through December.

[TheKeatingFive]

Who cares? It's her house, let her do what she wants. I've only just taken my Halloween decorations down and if anyone wants to judge that, I'd just write them off as sad fuckers.

[Momtotwokids]

I live in the state of Pennsylvania and in December we can get snow, ice, and very cold weather. We don't plug in the lights till December. Why do you care what others do?

[MollieMarie]

Ugh. Can't stand seeing Christmas decorations up in late October/early November. Why would you want to celebrate something for 2 months straight?

[woodhill]

@Thisismynamenow

I was thinking more of flashing outdoor lights all over the exterior

One down our road just after Halloween

[TheKeatingFive]

Why would you want to celebrate something for 2 months straight?

Why do you care? People like different things. I'm not sure why that's hard to understand.

[Motorcycleemptyness]

There is nothing more joyless than people who put their Christmas decorations up before December and take them down on Boxing Day. It is absurd behaviour.

[dementedma]

Rubbish. Its dark in the mornings,dark in the evenings and cold indoors and out. If someone wants some twinkly lights and baubles to cheer themselves up, so what?

[MollieMarie]

@TheKeatingFive

Why would you want to celebrate something for 2 months straight?

Why do you care? People like different things. I'm not sure why that's hard to understand.

Is no one allowed to have a different opinion to you?

[youagainomg]

I'll never understand why people are so bothered about what goes on in other peoples houses. Does in affect you in anyway, no. Go on about your day and ignore it.

[six666]

Why does it bother you? All the shops do it, there are endless Christmas adverts on TV already, just seems to be what some people like to do...it's only annoying if you let it be!

[SeasonsHeatings]

Some people just really love Christmas and the decorations that come with it.

I've been putting mine up since the 1st November. All beds have Christmas duvet covers on and the kids love it too.

I don't do it for anyone else to judge, I don't care what anyone else thinks. I picked the kids up from school last week in a Christmas jumper too 🤷

I do also have a Christmas tattoo half sleeve 🤣

[TheKeatingFive]

Is no one allowed to have a different opinion to you?

Of course. Apply that opinion to what you do.

Why would you care what others get up to?