Christmas: Are you going early?

[Spinynorman]

Just been watching breakfast telly and there was a report on people doing Christmas early due to the current situation. Apparently Christmas tree growers are doing a lot of very early trade and on-line decorations are selling fast and early. They featured many folks who already had their tree and decorations up and one family who due to their holiday being cancelled had already had an early Christmas day with turkey and presents.

We are going earlier as well this year and are aiming for the 1st December.

How about you?

[murf]

Things should be better by xmas not worse so seems madness to go early IMO.

There was some 'panic present buying' just before lockdown in case it extended into December which makes some sense but, other than that, it seems best to wait. Online shopping is pretty prompt whatever the covid situation. If you 'must have' something and it might sell out then get it now but that has always applied, especially to the 'in' toys etc.

[forestfan]

Early (online) shopping makes sense, as demand will be unprecedented nearer the time, and physical stores will be packed to the rafters and virus transmission hotspots, masks or no masks, when things reopen. Stocking up the freezer is a good idea as well, for the same reason, though not all foodstuffs can be preserved for 6 weeks!

Not sure of the sense in putting trees up or actually having celebrations early, as you say, restrictions are likely to be lighter to some extent over Christmas itself. I remember some people suggesting putting Christmas decorations up during first lockdown in March/April, but it didn’t seem to catch on...

Anyway, surely Santa will be furloughed this year unless he gets an early vaccine? He surely can’t be risking going into millions of houses across the world at his age?

[murf]

Super Spreader Santa!

[Spinynorman]

I think lots of peoples thoughts were about an early "cheer me up" rather than worrying whether restrictions were in place or not.

We usually go for decorating about 2 weeks before but just thought we would "treat" ourselves to the start of December.

[forestfan]

Yeah, might put the (artificial) tree up a bit earlier I suppose...

[Spinynorman]

Our Christmas is always artificial.

[unc.si.]

I think lots of peoples thoughts were about an early "cheer me up" rather than worrying whether restrictions were in place or not.

We usually go for decorating about 2 weeks before but just thought we would "treat" ourselves to the start of December.

Exactly this.

We’ll get our usual real tree for the front room in mid December, but we’ve just got a 6ft artificial one for the back room and a little one for the kids tv room which we’ll put up and decorate on 1 December with some mince pies, Christmas music and beer/fizz

[bspittles]

My daughter's birthday is the week before Christmas, so we don't put anything up until that's out of the way. We don't want to dilute her special day

[unc.si.]

My wife’s birthday is the day after. It’s pain in the arse to be honest

[Spinynorman]

Just been out and about and have seen my first two fully fledged decorated indoor Christmas trees in our local area and one house with outdoor decorations. On a dark and stormy night it was actually quite nice,

[unc.si.]

about 3 weeks ago I dropped my daughter off at the gym then walked from the gym to the supermarket to pick some bits up. Walked past a house with full on flashing Christmas lights inside and out

fair play if thats what you want - you'd be a bit bored of them by Christmas though surely.

[Spinynorman]

Even for the best of reasons I think you need to wait at least until December arrives.

[jacksosi]

My girls decided today was the day, idle lockdown thumbs...

[Spinynorman]

My girls decided today was the day, idle lockdown thumbs...

Is it just the tree going up or is there more?

[jacksosi]

My girls decided today was the day, idle lockdown thumbs...

Is it just the tree going up or is there more?

Oh no, there’s loads

[bspittles]

Remember, every time someone decorates before December, Santa kills an elf.

[jacksosi]

I feel like it's going to be a bad year for elves then

[blahblah]

He must have an infinite amount of them?

[murf]

He must have an infinite amount of them?

He gets them from the national elf service.



Where do I get my coat from?

[morganb]

He must have an infinite amount of them?

He gets them from the national elf service.



Where do I get my coat from?

S-elf-ridges

[blahblah]

elfin ell

[murf]

He must have an infinite amount of them?

He gets them from the national elf service.



Where do I get my coat from?

S-elf-ridges

I thought they only sold fridges.

[Spinynorman]

I've gone early and the tree is up!

[Surprised]

Already seen trees for sale and it's not even December.

[forestfan]

Waiting for December for decorations, music etc... but my house is basically an Amazon warehouse this week.

[unc.si.]

First tree up, along with outdoor lights

[Jester]

Has the tradition remained, anyone gone early this year?
Nothing here until after 5th Dec (my getting even older day), but I think we'll get to it straight after that.

I thought Christmas got less exciting with age but since retirement I've started to look forward to it more. Still sending Mrs J out to work though, so maybe it's the long break for her that I look forward to?
*for 'sending out' read taking over the dining room!

[forestfan]

Kept the habit of getting ahead with the shopping in November, though decorations/music-wise the calendar has to tick over to 12 first!

[zipnolan]

Whenever I've gone early I end up buying more, as it seems almost mandatory to have a last minute panic. Cheaper to buy late and confine the stress to a couple of weeks.

Mind you, Mrs Zip just opened an envelope full of small pine cones, so looks like the wreath-making is on again this year....