Shops have been de-Christmassed

[CharityShopChic]

And it's WONDERFUL. They must have had the elves in over the last couple of days because in both the Asda and Waitrose I was in this morning had no decorations, no festive aisles full of tat, no screeching Noddy Holder on the tannoy.

Fabulous. At last back to normal.

It’s not just MN where people think Xmas runs into January. Lots of people see. Mad as running for 12 days from the 25th. This idea that it’s all over my Boxing Day is just retail driven. I think it’s sad when decorations down early.

Well that’s a different take on it 😂 😂

Yep, December's calendar meets 'More Joys of Sex'. All I can say is obviously someone's not doing it right ... 🥱🤣

And in more breaking news, the local Sainsbury's has a large banner at the main entrance reading HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023! Not only this, the only pagan symbols of fertility on any shelf were those graded into sizes in little compartmentalised boxes with 'allowed to roam free' printed on the side.

Blessed be!

And here we go again round in circles about how Christmas might have originated from a christian celebration (hijacked from the pagans) but now for most people means a few days off work, loads of food, and giving presents. Religion does not factor in many people's festive celebrations.

I suppose the confusion might arise from the fact that the Pagan celebrations at the same time of the year have different names from the Christian celebration; but that celebration still retains the Christian name, even though the vast majority of people don't celebrate it in a religious context.

If we had Yule, celebrated only by Pagans; Christmas, celebrated only by Christians; and then Festicember, celebrated by anybody else who wanted to, in whatever capacity, it would muddy the waters far less. It does seem a bit weird to retain the name of a particular religious festival when the whole stated reason for that festival means nothing to you and your celebrations at all.

And in more breaking news, the local Sainsbury's has a large banner at the main entrance reading HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023! Not only this, the only pagan symbols of fertility on any shelf were those graded into sizes in little compartmentalised boxes with 'allowed to roam free' printed on the side.

I remember the (very justified) complaints that year when a very ignorant Sainsbury's store put up big banners wishing their Jewish customers a Happy Rosh Hashanah - but put them right over a a display of pork products.

This is not something I see reflected in my life or my friends' lives, "Christmas" is basically 1-25 December with parties, nativity plays, shopping, planning, pantomime visits etc, all culminating in Christmas Day.

By now, it's over

Well, that might be so, but that isn't when Christmas actually is

@Saltywalruss - says you but others have a different opinion

i got one from my son!

I am not sure. Perhaps Christians should call it Christmas, pagans yule and other people who feast at this time of year could have a new name for it? That would stop the arguments

I know. Nothing about celebrating Christmas...just commercialism at its worst.
I'm really not buying into the whole commercialism now. Presents for kids yes. Token trash that nobody wants to get or buy....I've left all that behind like most of my friends and relatives now.
Feels a lot lighter and better.
The true meaning of Christmas has been overtaken by commercialism sadly.

Not just on MN. The feast of Christmas starts on 25th December, the 24 days leading up to it is Advent. This has been the case for centuries. The Twelve Days of Christmas as per the song start on Christmas Day. Traditionally decorations come down on 6th January when the feast of Epiphany ( the coming of the Wise men) is celebrated. Of course, if you are a member of the Orthodox church this is when you celebrate Christmas.

@Boysgrownbutstillathome - and if you’re not religious and don’t believe the stories about advent, epiphany, wise men etc?

I had a shopping trip today to the nearest large town, and Christmas music was playing at the railway station and in one of the malls, which still had all its decorations up!

I'm not religious and still like Christmas to last past the 25th.
Otherwise when do you relax and enjoy it??

Just found this anyway:

"The pagan celebration of the winter solstice is known as Yule, and it’s one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world. It simultaneously celebrates the shortest day of the year, midwinter, the return of the Sun, and a festival of rebirth. This year, it occurs from December 21, 2022, to January 1, 2023."

So there we go.

Then don't celebrate Christmas at all. Do your own thing but don't call it Christmas.

Miserable. At least, now they've had our money, they could wait until Jan 2nd. But it's all part of Christmas starting in mid November and I hate it.

We’ve always called the celebration Christmas so will continue to do so.

So with you op- considering the shops have been festive since October! Yay! Ring on the New Year @CharityShopChic

Christmas is a festival that's ongoing in the UK at the moment, and people can participate in parts of it as they wish. Just as you might, for example, go to see a Diwali light show in your town, without being Sikh or Hindu.

Sounds very sensible. I try to avoid the commercialism too and put a lot of research and effort into the retailers I purchase anything I need for Christmas from.

I've just been into my local Tesco. Christmas decorations down, but have their Hogmanay signage up - seems reasonable to me.

Are you in Scotland ('Hogmanay')? - my local Tesco in England hasn't any decoration for Hogmanay/New Year at the moment.

Same where I am. A whole aisle was dedicated to steak pies in the Tesco I was in earlier 😂

I’m in my 50s. Decorations down right after Xmas is a fairly recent thing.