To wonder why does Christmas start so early in the UK and are you happy with that

[TheFateofOphelia]

I was in John Lewis yesterday and a huge part of the ground floor was taken up with Christmas trees and decorations. My heart sank because, much as I enjoy the festive season, I want it to start mid Nov not end of August as it does in supermarkets.

Anyday now they'll be blasting out "Do they know it's Christmas." The what shall we do with Uncle Stanley on Christmas Day threads are popping up on MN. Do you like it starting in Autumn or will you join my pointless 'Let's keep Christmas in December' campaign?

What do you mean by Christmas, OP? Your heading refers to shops selling stuff and they’re always ahead on that: they have “back to school” adverts before children have broken up for the summer and Halloween goods were in some shops in August this year. Charity shops lose out if they don’t have Christmas cards in stock very early.

Pubs and restaurants have to advertise their Christmas menus early because they need the bookings to survive

We’re all used to this and wearily preparing to be blasted with Valentine’s Day from 1 January.

On the other hand, we all look forward to a break in routine and some cheer in the darkness, and the preparation and anticipation is part of the fun. Personally, I really need cheering up around the end of January. I mark the solstices and equinoxes but that’s done privately.

If you’re a Christian and commemorating the notional date of the birth of Christ, no doubt decided by some ancient Council of somewhere or other, then this is all irrelevant.

My nearest supermarket started selling Christmas boxes and tinned chocs in late August. It seems to be pushed absurdly early.

I can comprehend people might need more time than just over the 3 weeks available pre-Christmas in Dec to prep. November would be fine, might just lead to a little eye rolling when the Christmas songs are played 😉