Poppies!

Yes it is in my opinion. Regulars on this site will know that I am a staunch supporter of the Royal British Legion, but I generally wear a white Poppy from the 21st September (the International Day of Peace) until the red poppies go on sale.

I used to go door to door with the poppy tray during the Royal British Legion poppy appeal until I moved to Northumberland. I took delivery of my collection tin and poppies, tray, pins etc in mid October, but wasn't allowed to go out with them until two weeks before November 11th. The appeal usually runs for the two weeks prior to Armistice Day. They were very strict about it. So it is far too early. I wonder what the RBL would have to say.

Well, it is commercialism cashing in then. And I suppose the poppy-themed items are going to be vying for space with all the Halloween tat. Shame.

Much too soon, in my humble

Just googled and apparently over £218,000 was raised last year by selling these items in garden centres. This year they are hoping to raise £300,000.
I can't blame them for starting early, I just hope the money goes to the right place.

I have no problem with displaying them early either just so long as we don't get more of that mid-October onwards competitive poppy-wearing/virtue signalling by media types and celebs. "My poppy is bigger than yours" or "look at me I'm wearing one before you" "and mine's got Svarovski crystals"!
I'm not sure about everybody sporting one on Strictly either, they are not meant to be a fashion item but a symbol of remembrance.

Much to early ,

Went into a shop today with Christmas cards on sale!

I dont wear a red poppy they have become far to politicised ,I will wear my white one as grannyactivist does from 21st of September

Too early I can't stand the way the commercial side of the world whizzes us through the year Christmas in August Easter as soon as Christmas is over I personally wont touch anything out of its season so I ll buy my poppy in November

Is it just me or does 'virtual signalling' seem to be the latest assumed form of passive aggression? Why can't people just be assumed to wear a poppy because they want to wear it for all the right reasons, not because they are trying to make a statement? Seems a bit lose /lose to me.

Glad to know the poppy items in garden centres are connected to the appeal. I thought it might be others cashing in.

I use to be a poppy lady on street corners, but the British Legion in my area doesn't do that now , not sure why, seems such a shame, we never started until November & I think it should stay that way , I think it has more impact if they are not sold until nearer the day, people get inundated by charities , so tend to be more focused when it is nearer to the date of the event

I have already bought my white wristband with red poppies, and made a donaton, but won't wear it until November.

Shysal - where did you get the wristband?

I have a small poppy brooch which will go on my lapel at the begining of November. I also have a larger crystal one which I wear if I'm going out dressed up, this was bought for Rememberance Sunday Service several years ago. I don't buy paper poppies (I always lose them) but always put a donation in the tin. I hate to see any-body wearing poppies before begining of November

The garden centre near me has those items on sale all year its just another fundraiser. I bought one for the garden in the spring.

I actually bought some!

Xmas cards that is, from a NT shop as I'm not likely to go again, just to explain. But yes a bit early for poppies.

I think the virtue signalling comes, not from people who wish to wear a poppy for whatever reason, but from the apparently compulsory wearing of poppies (from earlier and earlier in October) by anyone appearing on TV or in public for any reason. Surely some of them either don't want to wear one, or prefer, like many of us, not to do so until November.

I was interested to read above about the white poppies. Last month I at last visited my Grandfather's CWGC grave in Warmbad in remote S Namibia near the Orange River. On all three graves of the 5th SA Miunted Rifles a white poppy had been placed. I have no idea who did it as few would visit. I also believe Germans use white poppies but need to check this.

Bella I buy a wristband on Ebay, but you have to read the small print to see which sellers donate the full amount to the British Legion Poppy fund or another charity of your choice. I bought the last available one from the particular seller I chose. At the payment stage there is usually an option to make an additional donation.
Nowadays there are sometimes wristbands in the boxes of poppies for sale in the usual way.

They have them all year at our garden centre. They do look pretty.
I would like a blue poppy ( animals killed in action) & a white one (for soldiers shot for desertion -probably as shell shocked) but we never see anyone selling those although I know they exist.

I have no hiccup in an early display that involves the British Legion or any other military charity.
What I do find ott is a complete aisle, dedicated to Xmas, in my local supermarket since august bank holiday.

Where do you get the white poppies - I was not aware of them but like that idea.