To think my neighbours win a prize for being the first people to

[BrokenChristmasLight]

Put up their CHRISTMAS TREE!

I heard them arguing last night when getting ready for bed and only half heartedly paid attention that it had something to do with a light being broken. We both had our windows open but the discussion was pretty loud and they only live across the road. However, at no point did I even remotely consider that they were talking about Christmas lights. I shut the curtains, went to bed and when I woke up this morning I'm met with a fully decorated Christmas tree standing full view in the front window!

So do they win some sort of prize it's still the bloody summer holidays or has someone else beaten them to it?

Your DM was correct - Christmas Eve to 6th January is Christmas. We never put decorations up before about the 22nd December when I was child. I still don't put any up until mid-month. Don't understand the 'put the decs up in November, rip them down on Boxing Day' brigade, when Christmas doesn't actually start until 24th December.

Anyway. Would love to know the thinking behind the OP's neighbour's decision!

I volunteer in a charity shop and there was lots of chat on the WhatsApp group last night about how we are getting a Christmas card delivery on Monday and how ridiculously early that is, and how we're not putting them out until November.

I always think there must be something lacking in people's lives if they can't just enjoy September/October/November for what they are instead of squealing and squeaking about Christmas for a third of the year.

We have an Etsy shop and just put our Christmas stock up. We did it November last year and hardly sold any as it was too late. People plan, even if they don't buy, as soon as schools are back.

Decorating now seems odd, but you don't know their reasons.

I always think there must be something lacking in people's lives if they can't just enjoy September/October/November for what they are instead of squealing and squeaking about Christmas for a third of the year

Urgh me too. I like Christmas but surely the entire month of Dec is enough? we haven't even had Halloween or bonfire night yet FGS

I live in the Philippines - Christmas starts on Sunday (1-September)

Up the week before, down the day after boxing day.

Ours is up towards the middle of December and generally down just after the NY. Our house is too small and it gets in the way, nice that it is.

Because until the sunshine yesterday afternoon it's felt like it's been November.

I'm a postie and I delivered a Christmas card this week! And yes it was for this coming Christmas as the person had wrote 'don't open till dec 2024 on it'

Maybe someone in the family is very unwell and so they're bringing Xmas forward?

I don't think they are from the Philippines but I am curious about the logic of a country spending 1/3 of the year in preparation for just one day. What's the rational behind it??

Maybe they make Christmas decorations for Etsy or craft fairs and they're taking marketing pics.

I walked past that yesterday and it was quite bizarre. My young son (young enough to not have a full grasp on the calender) was very excited but we did guess it must be filming or publicity photos. Thank you for confirming it!

We walked past a block of students flats yesterday and there was a large Christmas tree in the foyer. I couldn't believe it and was bristling with indignation until DS pointed out the "for sale" sign beside it! 🤣

I know many people brought Christmas forward to celebrate with a family member whi had a terminal illness, often someone quite young. I wouldn't judge.

That’s hilarious! I wonder why they’ve done that - please ask them OP. In our house the tree goes up second week of December and comes down January 2nd.
Btw: Costco has got loads of Christmas and Halloween stuff already

My parents put up Christmas tree and lights in the summer when my brother was going to be posted oversees over Dec and we had an early Christmas with presents and Turkey so he could be there for it. Maybe something like that?

Ok sorry I’ve been that crazy person once! My brother and his family live in Australia and we only see each other every few years. When our kids were all bit younger they had planned to come to us for Christmas 2020……. But obviously it was cancelled. When they finally were able to visit us in June 2022 the kids were all saying what a shame it was we missed Christmas together, that the cousins had never had a Christmas Day together etc.

So June 25th was Christmas Day at our house! I put up the tree, full on decorated one room in our house as a Christmas wonderland. I cooked a full Christmas dinner, the kids left out stockings for Santa and he came out just for us in June 😉 It was brilliant and the kids loved it.

Could they be doing something like that? Might go down again in a few days.

Send them a Christmas card

But your explanation or any of the others re terminal illnesses etc explain the OUTDOOR decorations surely. Knock yourself out inside with decorations, turkey etc but it is deeply odd and bound to arouse comment when outside for the world to see and the neighbours to annoy.

Racy December photoshoot for the annual personalised family calendar? Grandchildren beware.

We once put our Christmas tree up in November, we were sick of it by Christmas Day. Can’t imagine having it up since August!

Mince pies in Tesco yesterday, told DH he couldn't have them until September.

Sunday it is then!

I appreciate lots of people might do this for unwell family etc but as I said they seem in fine health and they don't have any young children, just one child who is old enough to live alone who has no kids and has not lived there since we moved in years ago.

They also really don't strike me as photo Christmas card people but I suppose you can never really know for sure 😃.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for any visiting Aussies or distant relatives though and maybe it will be taken down again in a few days.

Either way if it were me I wouldn't be putting it in full view of the front window. You never know what your nosy neighbours might do, they might start an online discussion about my weird behaviour heaven forbid. 😅

In fairness, last Christmas (don't sing it...don't go there) my mother was quite unwell...actually knocking on heaven's door (again....please don't sing it) so we put up her tree early - say late November.
Well, we kept the tree up past Christmas, and then I found some decorations to put on the tree for Easter (felt Easter Eggs and bunny rabbits and carrots and such like) and she had an Easter tree.

If someone is unwell, sometimes having Christmas early or having the tree up but dressing it for Hallowe'en or whatever might bring them some happiness.

I'm all for this type of simple enjoyment.