Christmas

I agree Roses stollen is delicious but I avoid eating anything with a hint of Christmas until sometime in December. When I see mince pies in M and S in the Autumn I am disappointed, but someone scoffs them otherwise they wouldn't be on sale.

I am still wearing my summer weight pjs, so it is far too early for Christmas food IMO.

Thank you for the stollen suggestions ( love the stuff with good, hot coffee.)

These days I'm afraid I see Christmas as a hurdle to be got over. I always feel better on Boxing Day knowing that Christmas is almost over and we have spring to look forward to. How's that for wishing one's life away, though?

Hate it with a vengeance Jennac- and this doesn't happen in the rest of Europe either. All part of the Americanasation of the UK, sadly.

Starting Christmas early is not necessarily commercialism. I start the Christmas cooking in late October/early November and I am already agreeing with family members who is coming to stay, when and for how long. I find a slow build up to a well planned Christmas is so much more enjoyable than a rushed and ill-organised one.

We seem to spend half our lives looking forward to Spring/Summer and the other half looking forward to/ dreading Christmas...

I'm afraid C*******s doesn't start in our house until after December 1st, I cannot stand the commercialism. That is not what it means to me.

We don't start with Christmas in the house until after DGD's birthday on the 7th Dec. Shopping (for gifts) generally waits until after DH's birthday mid October.

It's far too early to be seeing it all in the stores now though, surely they could wait till after Halloween which seems to have become a big thing now too.

I saw some mini eggs in my local Tesco recently!

When I mentioned the early xmas stock in many of the stores over the
past few weeks I was reminded by DD that there are only 3 pay days left for people paid monthly so they have to budget early on,so point taken.

John Lewis had their Christmas tree and decoration dept up this morning.

Lidl had Stollen, Gluwein, and pannetone today. i am not fond of any of them!

I mean Lidl !!!

roses - Lidle

I had a holiday job in Selfridges in the early 1960s. My job was writing the prices on Christmas cards. Write price on card in pencil, gather card and envelope and paper-clip them together. This lasted from the end of June to mid-August, when the Christmas card department opened and after that I sold them until mid-September.
Early retail Christmases have been around for a long, long time.

Do also remember that many people carefully budget their Christmas and start laying Christmas goods aside from September. I can remember doing that in during my children's early years, when we had lost my income when DS was born and I did not work(outside the home) for 7 years.

Sainsbury here had Christmas puddings on display at least three weeks ago in all that hot weather, now I see the fancy biscuit tins, and cards are out in force too. I know they want to sell the stuff but really it just makes Christmas see even more of a commercial rip off. I refuse to be baited by it

Lots has already started re Xmas- restaurants are wanting us to book already as well - its juts a little bit early I'm happy to start preparations on Nov 1st DH starts on Dec 23rd.

Now.....where can I get some stollen?

Our local garden centre had all their Christmas displays open last Saturday ( and very nice they were too ) bought some scented pinecones, gorgeous.

Mince pies in Asda two weeks ago.

I was offered Christmas cards, calendars and diaries to buy in mid July. No thanks.

I had a xmas card order form from SSAFA ,and also have seen Xmas Puds in Sainsburys, plus a local hotel is advertising the Xmas/New Year menus.
Mick

I was in Dunelm the other day and they are putting out their Christmas displays already - Tescos have the cards on the shelves too. Far too early!

Trouble is, however early the shops start putting out the Christmas stuff, I'm still chasing around on 24th December for my purchases.

I think beginning of November would be more appropriate. We've got Hallowe'en, Diwali and Guy Fawkes to come first!