The C word already and we've not taken summer hols yet.

flipping heck!!!! Nooooooooooooooo far to early!!!

I've been collecting presents since February ,got about half that I'll need .Usually bought and wrapped all by the end of October.I do have a lot to buy though so its the only way .

No, I haven’t noticed, thank goodness

sickening. A consumer fest and landfill.

We have already been asked to choose our 'C' party venue!

Yes I have to book our Walking Netball Xmas Lunch tomorrow

Tbf, some events do have to be booked really early, then you can sit back and forget about it ( hopefully.)

nobody " needs" Christmas presents.

May not be the ideal time to own up to having just about finished making a pom pom wreath for Christmas . . .
In my defence i work on Crafting projects throughout the year, and I will be sewing for my first grandchild later in the year, (baby due days before Christmas so my daughter is also busy growing baby for Christmas!).

NOOOO and I will avoid any threads with the dreaded word in it

please somebody explain to me why?

If you are a Christian and believe the 25th December is when Jesus was born I fully understand.

I’m with you Paddyann I do it through the year as it’s best for my budget and I often can buy in sales.

‘why’ ? Oldbatty , because I can. Because I want to. Because putting the religious reasons aside , it’s a time for my entire , far flung family to get together enjoy each other’s company and the joy of giving.

I guess my answer encapsulated is ‘why not’?

" why not" because people have nothing. It stinks. Smug overfed, people pulling crackers and trampling over toys.

The Christmas crafting fabric collections are out already wince

Did you just call me smug, overfed and a toy trampler Oldbatty ? ?

You don’t know me from Adam so as they say in my neck of the woods ‘ best you wind your neck in !’

Giving up my box of Lego, turkey sandwich or cracker isn’t going to save the world ! But feel free to give up yours !

I shall enjoy pulling crackers whilst trampling on toys* and feeling smugly overfed this year with all my family around me, including two GC who I will not have seen for 18mths by this December.

* not Lego, though. That hurts to trample on. I'll be jumping up and down on my baby GD's soft toys instead.

I’d be happy enough to give up the work of Christmas, but I will never give up Hogmanay

I have grandchildren, children, Godchildren, foster children, friends and wider family and I like to buy them presents for a certain December festival. So, I buy a few gifts every month, usually at sale prices and make the best I can of my limited funds. I celebrate the birth of Jesus* and His life all year round and one way I do so is by volunteering my time and skills to people who have very little in the way of material goods.
*I do not believe He was born in December, but accept that is when His birth is generally celebrated.

grannyactivist, that sounds so lovely and genuine.

of course nannaa you giving uo your sandwich wont save the world, anymore than me giving up my " silly seasonal overspending" will save the world. But think....dare to dream....if we all started now ( as it appears the madness is up on us) and refused to buy into it, we could amass a fortune which could be diverted to really make a difference.

Well oldbatty we're not religious but we do like to all get together at Christmas and to give our loved ones gifts.We do ALL support charities all year round and volunteer too...so please let us have our fun without making us feel guilty ,life can be quite hard enough for some of us and its lovely to see a smile on their faces .

I’m dealing with C****** from February onward as work starts on village panto (script writing, etc) from that point. Auditions are in June and rehearsals start September. I also have admin details to address with council re our C lights from May - have already attended two consultation meetings with them. Maintenance and repair also have to be organised and funds raised to cover costs. Planning for C fair has also started as stall holders have to be booked in early.

C is almost a year round event for me and that’s without our own C factored in. None of these activities would happen if we willing volunteers (!!) didn’t start dealing with them early in the year.

Personally I feel there may be two different issues here. I agree it's far too early to shops at to be starting to focus on the season yet, leave that until end of November onwards for my liking.
But for those of us who enjoy or need to start thinking ahead then the time is whenever we choose.

Katek a friend's husband is dealing with the issue of xmas lights for their little town at the moment! Like your panto, it's a long, involved procedure, with many boxes to tick.