Start of the Christmas season?

[sodascouts]

This is just something that occurred to me as I watched the Macy's parade - Santa comes at the end of the parade, signifying the beginning of the Christmas season. Some marketers start it even earlier. Advent calendars start on Dec. 1; some people don't decorate until the week of Christmas. Others fall in between - or not at all! What do you think?

[Freypower]

We put our decorations up on the first weekend of December (NB 'after Thanksgiving' is irrelevant for me, although I could say 'after my birthday' and not be too far wrong). But in the shops it all started in mid October, which is ridiculous. When Christmas ends we'll start seeing Easter eggs in about February.

[Glennsallnighter]

We were always brought up to believe that the Christmas season started with Advent on 1st December, and if it was still so that would suit me fine. But the reality overe here anyway is that it begins in earnest on November 1st, the day after halloween. If you wait until 1st December to organise 'Santa' for the younger ones the more popular (and consequently requested) toys are often sold out by then and may not be restocked. Some retailers are now putting out their Christmas displays as early as September Now a 3-4 month run up is more than I can handle!! Too long a run in can take the fun out of Christmas! JMHO!

FP I have actually seen Easter eggs and novelties as early as the 6th January!

[rcknalwys]

I lean toward the first part of December since I have an 8 year old and she loves Christmas.

[EasyFeeling]

I don't care much about Christmas. I don't have kids and IMO it's all about profiteering. The only thing I love is our Christmas market with all the yummy food and hot punch.

[DonFan]

I love Christmas, but retailers definitely start pushing it WAY too soon, usually the day after Halloween, which is just nuts! Most of my friends start decorating and put their Christmas tree up the week after Thanksgiving, and that is when we do it, too.

Of course, this year I had to start my day-after-Thanksgiving shopping spree by ordering that $2500 Eagles guitar.

[Brooke]

I usually put my tree up the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

This year my son thought it would be a great way for me to entertain his girlfriend Thanksgiving night while he went coon hunting with the guys, so I reluctantly did and I do admit, it was nice to have the help cause my tree is 9 feet tall. I figured that I probably wouldn't be in a better mood on Sunday to do it! It's just so much work! Bah humbug! I told him I now appreciate the 2 foot tree my Granny used to have!

I think the stores are ridiculous with how early they are getting out Christmas. I saw stuff before Halloween this year. Way too early for me!

[Perfect Little Sister]

Hubby is Ebenezer Scrooge reincarnated. lol In fact, I "decorate" his office with a statue of Scrooge as well as a stuffed Grinch and Max. He has been complaining the last month or two about the commercialism of Christmas and how we should scale down gift giving, etc. My 15 year old daughter asked the other night if we could all work in a soup kitchen as a family on Christmas Eve. Old Scrooge was quick to say "no, not on Christmas". I had to bite my tongue. lol

[sodascouts]

Maybe you guys can all agree to buy one less gift this Christmas - his. LOL!

[Glennsallnighter]

The 8th December is a church holiday over here and a lot of people traditionally waited to decorate their homes on that day. As its a weekend day this year I imagine thats what we'll do. I've bought one or 2 pressies but to be fair, I usually wait until December.

Hubby definitely isn't Scrooge, but I think even he might have reservations when he sees what I want for Christmas this year. With Justification