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mairead

I noticed the first decorated trees in shop window as early as the first week in November just after Halloween.
I also remember a time when festive street lights were lit just two weeks before Xmas.
Do any of the rest of you think Xmas is coming a mite too early these days?

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Jimbo · This is Ma' Life! Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 630

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:37 pm Post subject:

Think it is all to do with money.

There is no big event for the shops to push in November, so they start advertising Christmas early.

January / February - advertise St Valentine's Day
February/March - advertise St Patrick's Day (which is inexplicibly more popular than St Andrew's Day) and Mother's Day
March/April - advertise Easter
April/June - advertise Father's Day
July/August - everyone is on holiday
September/October - advertise Hallowe'en
November/December - advertise Christmas

Probably missed one or two events, but I'm sure the shops will let me know what I should be buying when the time comes around Laughing

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kathyv · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:00 am Post subject:

I once went into a store that was setting out Christmas decorations in AUGUST! Terrible!

It doesn't feel 'special' and there isn't any anticipation when things start hitting you so early, even if it's before the middle of November, it all feels too soon and just serves to annoy me. I don't like being annoyed by Christmas!
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mairead · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:40 am Post subject:

It must be a nightmare for mothers of young kids who keep on asking in November,
"When will it be Xmas mam"
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

carol · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:33 am Post subject:

I'm not a fan of christmas, only make the effort for the kids, there's too much hype and too much expense surrounding it these days.

I remember getting a walkie talkie doll and a tangerine one year Wink

kids nowadays expect far far too much

my boys age from 4 - 14 so christmas is still special for the youngest

I've banned console and mobiles from their christmas list, consoles the kids have a strange addiction too, and mobiles they think they can change like water (think that's the saying Rolling Eyes

)

Carol

mairead · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject:

Well done in controlling the Xmas list Carol.
I know a single mum of 4 who went into debt to the tune of £2000 just to make sure her kids got everything they wanted, like £75 trainers play stations etc. The following Xmas she was still paying up the previous one.
If more parents took a stand, there would be less per pressure on the kids.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

ladyinthemists · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject:

I definitely agree with all of you. Shops begin putting out their Christmas stuff right after Halloween. That's the time, at least here in the States, that the Thanksgiving holiday should begin being promoted. Christmas advertisements, decorations and so forth ought to begin no sooner than November 30th. I think that kathyv is absolutely right....when it starts so much too soon, the anticipation and "special-ness" is lost. And Christmas has really gotten far and away too commercial for my taste....and often times downright tacky. I have already seen one home locally that has all of their Christmas decorations, including fully decorated tree and lawn ornaments, up. Now that's just waaay too danged early. Rolling Eyes

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Celtic Indian · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

12 days before and finishing 12 days after.Isn't that suppose to be the traditional way ?
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mairead · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

Aye Celtic Indian. You are right there. It would be so much nicer if shops, TV company's etc. stuck to that
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I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

sgmillerton · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:08 am Post subject:

christmas is now just a prostitute. the greedy get greedier, the smug get smugger and the unhappy and lonely just get sadder and more lonely. a disgusting time of year.
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Holebender · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 12:45 pm Post subject:

In defence of early Christmas promotions... we send cards and some presents to relatives in Australia and Canada and these need to be posted away in November to get there in time, so it's good to be able to buy some Christmassy stuff before the post office deadlines.

All our Christmas decorations went up (though nothing plugged in) a week ago because I was leaving for work in west Africa and not due back until the week before Christmas.
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"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso

mairead · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

Oh my SG,
You sound like a very lonely person. While I hate to see it come so early, I do love the bustle, the noise and the light etc. I love to listen to the Salvation Army bands too.
_________________
I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

sgmillerton · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:21 am Post subject:

Celtic Indian · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:59 pm Post subject:

Holebender · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject:

A midwinter festival long predates Christianity. We all need cheering up in the darkest days of the year and that's what Christmas is all about. I'm an atheist and I celebrate and enjoy Christmas for what it is; a time of good cheer in an otherwise dreich time of year.
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"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso

Celtic Indian · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject:

The question asks 'when should xmas begin ?' My answer is it shouldn't.Get rid of it.Its a load of tosh.It shloud be replaced with something more appropriate.It should be given the same attention as Easter.Or even less.Should only be celebrated if your practicing Christian.
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A Progressive Nationalist who want to banish Insular Nationalism and is humbled to be Scottish !

Blackadder · 'Our Scotland' Fossil Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 4127

We celebrate Yule in the Blackadder Mansion. My father was a ver good friend of Mr Brynner!

mairead · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:48 pm Post subject:

Do you buy your serfs a gift at this season of goodwill then?
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I fear not hell, nor English strife,
For Scotland, I will give my life

Blackadder · 'Our Scotland' Fossil Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 4127

You are showing a very high stupidity quotient today, Mairead. Have you had a head trauma recently?