Why talk about xmas in September!

theworriedwell ????

Why?
Because it beats Brexit or mothers in law.
Easy enough to skim past though if it offends

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.

Can I also add that people objecting to the aggressive pushing of Christmas merchandise etc almost as soon as Summer is over are not necessarily bah humbug.
Some of us love Christmas but dislike how some people seem determined to turn it into a crazy and often competitive spend fest, stressing themselves and others, and burying its meaning beneath mounds of materialism.
I know of some people who put their decorations up as soon as Halloween is over and then can't wait to tear them down on Boxing Day. What happened to the 12 days of Christmas?

I just wish we could get Halloween out of the way before we start talking about Christmas ?!

Why do you have ‘mountains of uneaten food’, Sara1964? Why not just buy less? Or make an effort to use it up?

No no no! Fingers in ears and eyes closed!

Happysexagenarian

Normally I don't think about Christmas until November, and dislike seeing Christmas things in the shops in the autumn when I'm still wearing summer clothes!

But this year I'm already in 'Christmas mode' as I'm sewing stockings, advent calendars and quilts etc. They take time to do so the house is littered with appropriate fabrics and trimmings. I even find myself humming Christmas songs as I sew!

I think a lot of people are starting their Christmas shopping early this year in case there might be shortages nearer the time, or delivery services decline in the run up to the big day. And, of course, they can spread the cost over a few more weeks.

Since I love all things Christmassy I really don't mind discussions about it, more interesting to me than Brexit, Covid and vaccinations which I'm getting bored with now.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Glad it’s not just me - I’ve been knitting Christmas things for months, HappySexagenarian - 2 snowman stockings done, one Nativity set 2/3 done, one robin wreath just about finished - I was knitting holly leaves and berries just this morning.

Two Santa hats will be next, and possibly the last - unless I find another pattern I can’t resist….

I no longer actually enjoy Christmas, but I have six grandchildren, three living here, so it’s not really optional.
I don’t mind buying presents, I actually love putting up the Christmas trees, and decorating the house. I enjoy the pantomime, and the day out to meet Santa somewhere expensive.
But I really dislike the waste, the mountains of uneaten food, the presents hardly glanced at, before being discarded, the piles of plastic rubbish, the Christmas paper I’m still using to light the fire at Easter.
Every year I say we have to make changes, and we do, but only little changes, not enough to make a difference.
I would love to go back to something simpler, but honestly, with all the pressure on parents to buy, buy, buy I can’t see it happening.

lemongrove

We were writing our posts at the same time.?
That was a very sad Christmas for you all.

When I bake mince pies, Mr L just can’t leave them alone, it’s like snow in August.

It was sad that we lost or dad but honestly my mother coming back to life on Christmas Eve was a real life Christmas miracle. The fact that us older ones didn't get much didn't matter, we had plenty of food and the younger one was fine. Many years ago now.

I don't think about Christmas until November. One of my friends told me she's got my Christmas present, bought in June! Ridiculous.

We were writing our posts at the same time.?
That was a very sad Christmas for you all.

When I bake mince pies, Mr L just can’t leave them alone, it’s like snow in August.

lemongrove

My emoji was for the two earlier posts.

I thought so, wouldn't have been nice about my poor widowed mum. The main point is obviously don't get between me and a mince pie. I am not going to tell you how many boxes I've had since 1st September but it definitely more than one. I'm already sad that they will disappear from Sainsbury's in early January but trying to be brave.

My emoji was for the two earlier posts.

theworried ?

effalump

Don't even mention the 'C' word to me!!! I've worked in shops at Christmas and I cannot understand people who shop right up to closing on Christmas Eve, buying any tat that's still on the shelves. One lady, paying for goods, opened her purse to reveal at least a dozen credit cards. Absolute Madness. It's no wonder we have young people who think everything revolves around them.

I remember the year my father died. My mother was sort of frozen. Two of us were at senior school but the youngest was only 7. I did some shopping for him but i was just 13 so didn't have alot to spend but I didn't want him to have nothing. On Christmas Eve my mother suddenly asked me what was going to happen for Christmas. I showed her what I'd bought. She said, "Get your coat." and we went to buy extra food and lots of presents for the youngest. We dragged it back as it was too much to carry.

Sorry if any of the shop assistants felt it was madness, for me it was the start of my mother returning to normal and a relief that a seven year old who'd had a shit year was going to get lots of presents.

grandtanteJE65

You know we discussed this last year or the year before too.

Most people are paid once a month, so we will get our salaries or pensions in four days' time and on the last banking day of October and November.

So seen from a shop keeper's viewpoint it is not too early to be stocking Christmas goods, although items such as mince pies obviously cannot be bought now and eaten at Christmas unless you have space in your freezer.

If you are going away for Christmas, or inviting visitors who will be staying, it is quite a good idea to discuss things now. Train and coach journeys have to be booked, the same applies to hotel rooms if you go away, or need to break a long car journey.

In the days when my parents came to us for Christmas, I routinely discussed it with them at the end of September, so we all knew what we would be doing, whether they would be staying for the New Year as well, or not, and DH or I could inquire about taking an extra day off work while they were here.

Buying mince pies and not eating them? What madness is this.

Early

Not at all. Popped into my local food store yesterday evening. Big display of mince pies by the till. The young assistant and I exchanged looks. I know ... , he said wearily.

I love Sainsbury's getting the mince pies out in September, I look forward to it. I did think the hot cross buns being out last week was a tad early for Easter.

You know we discussed this last year or the year before too.

Most people are paid once a month, so we will get our salaries or pensions in four days' time and on the last banking day of October and November.

So seen from a shop keeper's viewpoint it is not too early to be stocking Christmas goods, although items such as mince pies obviously cannot be bought now and eaten at Christmas unless you have space in your freezer.

If you are going away for Christmas, or inviting visitors who will be staying, it is quite a good idea to discuss things now. Train and coach journeys have to be booked, the same applies to hotel rooms if you go away, or need to break a long car journey.

In the days when my parents came to us for Christmas, I routinely discussed it with them at the end of September, so we all knew what we would be doing, whether they would be staying for the New Year as well, or not, and DH or I could inquire about taking an extra day off work while they were here.

pce612

Christmassy things in the shops this early spoils the magic for young children, Christmas should stay in December.
If you make gifts, cards etc. then it is different.
Putting up decorations should stay out of shops until November has gone.

Totally agree. I loathe xmas with a vengeance and always have done. Nothing to stop people buying and stockpiling presents etc all year round if they want to, but there's absolutely no need whatsoever for this massive commercialised build-up, which seems to start earlier and earlier every year. I honestly do think that the earlier people put up decorations, trees and so on, that it spoils the magic of it for the little ones.

I love xmas and don’t mind it starting early although I usually start prepping early December. Having said that, 2 weeks ago when Tesco had the sweetie tubs out for just £3.50 I bought one with the intention of putting them away. When I saw my adult son later I have them to him knowing that they wouldn’t have lasted until Xmas in my house. Last week I bought mince pies in Asda. Delicious. All 6 of them …

halfpint1

The overkill on Christmas makes me think how drab the other 364 days of the year must be for people.

It's possible to get organised and love Christmas but still enjoy the other 364 days
I work, have a busy life, and I collect my Grandson from School once a week, we enjoy Hallowern, Easter, his Birthday, going to parks, holidays and other things. Just because I love Christmas and have to be organised does not mean my life is dull.

Normally I don't think about Christmas until November, and dislike seeing Christmas things in the shops in the autumn when I'm still wearing summer clothes!

But this year I'm already in 'Christmas mode' as I'm sewing stockings, advent calendars and quilts etc. They take time to do so the house is littered with appropriate fabrics and trimmings. I even find myself humming Christmas songs as I sew!

I think a lot of people are starting their Christmas shopping early this year in case there might be shortages nearer the time, or delivery services decline in the run up to the big day. And, of course, they can spread the cost over a few more weeks.

Since I love all things Christmassy I really don't mind discussions about it, more interesting to me than Brexit, Covid and vaccinations which I'm getting bored with now.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Personally..... don't talk to me about it until 24 Dec then NEVER mention again after 25th!

Thank you for the heads up re the RNLI Advent calendars.
4 ordered - job done!