What marks the start of Christmas for you?

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Depressingly, my friend think when she sees the Coca Cola ad for the first time that's the start....

For me, Advent Sunday marks the start of the winter, and then the Solstice is when we put our tree up (so yes sometimes only a few days before) and that's when Christmas begins. For about a week

December 1st

When you're driving around and see Christmas lights pretty much everywhere

1st December. No Xmas films or food until then. Decorations don't go up until kids break up.

1st weekend in December when we put our tree up.

1st December. That's when I usually make the first batch of mince pies (soon mostly scoffed by dh, but they're the trad little ones), hope for carols on Classic FM - they don't usually play any before then- put any early cards up, put a wreath on the front door (if I've got round to buying one) and put a little tree with lights in a pot by the front door.
Indoor tree comes much later, not usually till about a week before, so it's still fresh on the day.

The last day of term!

When strictly come dancing starts .

1st December here too, when advent calendars can be opened. We don't decorate the house until around the 15th December though.

Another one for the coca cola advert being the start of Christmas here, it was "tradition" when I was growing up and stuck with me

Coca Cola truck for me too! That's when it is official to me. Tree and decorations go up 2 weeks before so that DDs birthday isn't overshadowed by Christmas.

Once Nov 5th and bonfire parties are out of the way.

The lighting of the first candle on the Blue Peter advent crown...

That one for the kids....

naze I wonder if they still do that?
1st dec/advent Sunday whichever comes first here.

Advent Sunday, we light the first candle and put up the decorations except the tree.

Here Samichlaus comes the 6th December or the nearest weekend, this year it's the first weekend of December so we will see the parade, have Samichlaus and schmutzli visit DSS and have a nice Christmas dinner. Our mums are visiting that weekend (and we won't see them at Christmas) so DSS will have his presents from them on the Sunday. Christmas starts early in our house.

Our next door neighbors got their outdoor lights up yesterday so DP will start getting some of our up today. Christmas cake is baked and being fed already!

Stir Up Sunday is the first hop but we have Big Jumps in excitement over the next few weeks:

Dec 1st
Wreath making
Christmas markets
Making decs
Radio Times
Nativity
End of term
Christingle
Carol service

The first bite of whatever Quality Street I have picked...this happened yesterday so Merry Christmas everyone

Definitely the coca cola ad! Last year I saw it really early in November

Sitting down with the Christmas Radio Times and a highlighter.

Why the coca cola ad though?

Yesterday we all (me, DH, three DC) went to a Christmas fair and started out Xmas shopping. It was chilly but sunny and we had hog roast in buns for lunch. It did feel like the start of Christmas!

Sitting down with the Christmas Radio Times and a highlighter.

Ditto!

Last weekend in November when we put the tree up

There's a beautiful house in our town and each year they light the tree in their garden, it's spectacular and just makes me feel a little festive...when I see that, I allow myself to utter the word 'Christmas'!!!

MIL's 'gathering of the clan' lunch. She takes us all out for a pub festive lunch / carvery, everyone swaps presents and a catch up. The men wear Christmas jumpers etc. It's usually the second weekend in December.