Why talk about xmas in September!

Our local Chemist used to spray their windows with snow and a picture of Santa at the beginning of December. The excitement!!

I don’t know about other towns, but by Christmas week, all signs of Christmas has disappeared, and there are massive sale signs everywhere.
Now that does make me cross.
When our children were little we’d go in one evening before Christmas, go and see Father Christmas, walk around listening to Carol singers and the Salvation Army band, have some supper somewhere, it was lovely.
All gone now.

I used to love it when Blue Peter got out the thing made out of coat hangers and tinsel, and lit one of the candles.
It was exciting in those days.

Yes tickets to Carol services etc have to be booked quite far in advance. But I like to do that then forget about it until nearer the event.

Christmas is a lovely time of year for many people. But I prefer it to be kept on perspective. A certain amount of advance preparation is necessary, but holding things like decorations and Christmas music back until later on creates a sense of magic and wonder.

Anyone else remember the excitement in late November when the Bunty and Beano Annuals appeared in the shops

When I was young, Christmas started in December. There were church bazaars (there’s a word you don’t hear anymore), advent calendars, we seemed to have snow in December, etc. Nearer to Christmas was carol singing, special church services.

Now with Christmas starting in September, I’m heartily fed up by the time 25 December comes along. Then in the blink of an eyelid Xmas is over and Valentines cards and Easter eggs appear in the shops…here we go again.

^Meanwhile as other people have said restaurants and hotels are taking bookings already.
All I want to do is get the bookings I'll need for the right number of people in place now, then I can forget about it !^
You're right, not just restaurants V3ra. I am looking at taking GD to The Nutcracker but the best seats are nearly all sold out close to Christmas. A little flashy sign comes up to say they are selling 50 to 60 seats a day.

I have been asking family members about Christmas and New Year plans.
We have two shift worker sons who are both off on Christmas Day, as far as we can tell, so they will appreciate a dinner. I'm thinking of going to a local pub, rather than cooking ourselves.
My daughter and her family will probably prefer to spend Christmas at home, they're in a different town.
We've booked accommodation to go over there for New Year.

For both events I need to know if Dad, who lives locally, needs including in our plans or if my brother or sister are likely to invite him to theirs. Neither of them have thought about it or can give me an answer.

Meanwhile as other people have said restaurants and hotels are taking bookings already.
All I want to do is get the bookings I'll need for the right number of people in place now, then I can forget about it !

I think yours are aggressive, offensive and unjustifiable. However, I do not need someone else to come along and say that for me. The Opening Post was needlessly rude. I think we all know we don't shout at others online. It was passive-aggressive in the first few words and, by the OP's own measures, remarks were made that could be found hurtful by others who are anxious.

You have yet to say in what way I have been "rude" and if I have been posting in opposition to what was said and how it is said that is because I am.

You have stretched this out for your reasons, not the OP's. I will repeat - the OP need not have been written to goad. It could have been written in a more open manner that would have started a general chat. I wonder why, it having been written in that way, you are so incredibly keen to defend it?

Pippaz
I am not aiming attacks at you. I am expressing my opinion that your posts towards the OP are rude and antagonistic.

Anyhow, I'm not getting into any further argument with you. I have a feeling this will just go around in silly circles.

Callistemon

Sara1954

Witzend
I guess because you want to be sure you’ve got enough, I don’t go mad, I’m perfectly aware that the shops are open again on Boxing Day, but still we never eat everything.

We usually eat everything, can't bear waste.
The only thing I threw out were gluten free mince pies, one lot with home-made pastry, the other with store-bought pastry.
I manfully, sorry womanfully, ploughed my way through about three or four but they were just awful.
The birds ate them although they did leave my homemade pastry until last, they must have been desperate.

Except one home-made Christmas pudding still sitting on a shelf all alone but they will probably get eaten this year..

Do you need to have gluten free Callistemon? I am going to make a batch of pastry with a new recipe in the next few days. I am still trying them out as I find it always has an after-taste. If you are interesed I can PM you the recipe if it works.

Beswitched

Yes Pippaz, people can say what they like when they like regarding Christmas, including the OP who has posted on an aspect of Christmas that many people find annoying.

By all means debate and disagree, but no need to be rude, aggressive or hurtful.

Only you and the OP seem to think aiming your attacks at me is the height of good manners, Beswitched

As for being definitely rude, how about shouting at posters. We also have the very passive-aggressive first few words of the OP and remarks that could be found hurtful by all those who find early preparation for Christmas assuages their anxiety. I think you sum up the OP very well. It was a very unpleasant, goading post.

that not they

Sara1954

Witzend
I guess because you want to be sure you’ve got enough, I don’t go mad, I’m perfectly aware that the shops are open again on Boxing Day, but still we never eat everything.

We usually eat everything, can't bear waste.
The only thing I threw out were gluten free mince pies, one lot with home-made pastry, the other with store-bought pastry.
I manfully, sorry womanfully, ploughed my way through about three or four but they were just awful.
The birds ate them although they did leave my homemade pastry until last, they must have been desperate.

Except one home-made Christmas pudding still sitting on a shelf all alone but they will probably get eaten this year..

Yes Pippaz, people can say what they like when they like regarding Christmas, including the OP who has posted on an aspect of Christmas that many people find annoying.

By all means debate and disagree, but no need to be rude, aggressive or hurtful.

Unfortunately GN gets this complaint nearly as regularly as Christmas!
It does seem that people shoot themselves in the foot by starting this type of thread. More chat more aggro.

Beswitched

I haven't seen anyone ask 'the world to stop' for them.

You are right. However, the OP did say that she CANNOT stand chat ... in September/October or November, shouting her wrath at us all.

That comment and her assumption she would need to take cover told us the OP set out to goad posters.

It seems we are now getting the "poor me" routine which you are supporting. Surely people can do what they like and say what they like whenever they like, with regards to Christmas?

As I said before, the OP could just as easily have been an open post, rather than a personal one. If you make it personal you will get personal replies.

Why can the the Christmas displays and lights not commence until November

Sorry if I misunderstood this sentence Beswitched. But it seemed to be suggesting a change in advertising ect.

I have found that it's down to me to change my perceptions as situations around me wont.

I just thought, as I found this to be the only way that worked for me, perhaps you would find the same?

I haven't seen anyone ask 'the world to stop' for them.

Each to their own That's the spirit!
No need to make a fuss.
Christmas will be here every year no matter what.
A good idea would be to find a way to cope better with ones own personal circumstances.

Rather than expect the world to stop for us.
Because it wont. As I have found.

I certainly hate the commercialisation of Christmas beginning in September and the constant build-up and pressure, especially on young kids.

But for some families that are split all over the place, and many with some members abroad- it is a good time to decide so that travel, etc, can be organised before prices go through the roof.

We have always told our adult kids that although we love to have them here for Christmas, or go to theirs- we never ever want them to discuss 'whose chore is it to go or have the parents this time...'. we have just been invited to go to our youngest and family- as they can't travel to us- so now we can plan our journey. Due to not wanting to fly, petrol concerns, and now no longer with Emma dog- we are planning on travelling by train. But once the travel booked, I shall put all thoughts of Christmas away until December- when, to my mind- Christmas planning should begin and no sooner. Each to their own.

Thank you Beswitched this is how I perceived PippaZ post commenting in an aggressive manner.. ..no need for name calling..inappropriate and unkind.

I shall talk about Christmas when I feel like it. Any time of year will do.

You are coming across as quite aggressive and rude pippaz.

I thought the OP's first post was fine. She didn't insult anyone, she just expressed her view strongly and asked if she was in the majority or minority.

Bea65

Beswitched you understand clearly what the post was about?
but being called a wuss PippaZ is uncalled for..and I'm not a coward or a weakling but Yes do feel my confidence has hit an all time low mainly due to present/ongoing health conditions...but like to join in on threads at home alone a lot to share or give my opinions on whatever the subject..

Oh, Good Lord. How am I supposed to know all that from the OP? I said that I never, ever get these posts. That could well be my fault, but I don't.

Your post was very written in a very challenging way. You thought that having written it you would need to take cover. You did not have to write it in the way you did but you chose to do that. You could have made it less personal and just asked when people think Christmas should start. You put yourself at the centre of the question. I was asking what you expect people to do about your issue with Christmas?

I am sorry that you are having to deal with low confidence and health issues. I know what mental health issues can do to us - more than I would ever care to share. But that wasn't what you said was it?

I'm opting out of Christmas for the second year running, I've made sure both of my kids will have somewhere to go and am happy to spend it alone with the tv and my lovely dog.

I'm giving them money to buy/save as they wish, and have already bought my two best friends a gift which I post before the rush in early December - when the Cadbury's creme eggs arrive!