I know there has already been a thread on this sort of line but I am a student Journalist at Sheffield University and I am doing a radio package on the Christmas season and how it starts so early.. I would love to hear your opinions, maybe you choose not to celebrate it anymore or you're the other way and have your decorations up already... whatever your opinion I'd love to hear it ..................

Originally posted by gems
I know there has already been a thread on this sort of line but I am a student Journalist at Sheffield University and I am doing a radio package on the Christmas season and how it starts so early.. I would love to hear your opinions, maybe you choose not to celebrate it anymore or you're the other way and have your decorations up already... whatever your opinion I'd love to hear it ..................

im quite glad the shops start early - as a big family, it makes life easier to start planning and shopping early.
a family member runs a christmas club - we pay a fiver/tenner a week and at the end of nov get back whatever we have saved.
i dont have a problem with it starting early.

in australia they start in july - cos a lot of poms want a 'coldish' christmas!!

I agree with Samsmum it needs to be early to accomodate for the financial implications of buying pressies for a large family.

Thank god for the Argos catalogue ;)
Trying to think of different pressies for all the various kids in a large-ish family is a nightmare.
At least when the kids are browsing through the Toy section it gives a good idea of what they would actually like for a pressie :thumbsup:

I rarely go into town but was shocked at Christmas stuff in the windows!

The retailers want your money really badly this year so they are starting it earlier than usual.

Christmas shouldn't be able spending ridiculous amounts of money on presents anyway.

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/

Its a shame people are already "worried" about what to buy in the middle of October. Think about it? What are we actually celebrating? The cult of consumerism or a religious festival?

Originally posted by jimmy
Its a shame people are already "worried" about what to buy in the middle of October. Think about it? What are we actually celebrating? The cult of consumerism or a religious festival?



thanks for the lecture.

Originally posted by jimmy
Its a shame people are already "worried" about what to buy in the middle of October. Think about it? What are we actually celebrating? The cult of consumerism or a religious festival?

Completely agree, the whole thing is a rip-off, the amount of stress people inflict on themselves would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.

Its not a lecture. Just a comment about how I feel about Christmas (like the poster asked for).

I just decided to take a step back over the last year or two and actually watch what people are doing. Fighting in shops over food and presents on Christmas Eve. Only to be back in the same shops on Boxing Day buying even more. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

A couple of weeks back I was in a supermarket where Christmas stuff was on sale close to the Halloween stuff.

And yes, they were selling Hot Cross Buns. (Although these felt cool to the touch and without interviewing them I have no way of knowing if they were in fact cross).

Originally posted by jimmy


I just decided to take a step back over the last year or two and actually watch what people are doing. Fighting in shops over food and presents on Christmas Eve. Only to be back in the same shops on Boxing Day buying even more. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Ah, but that is precisely why I start my Christmas plans early, so I'm not one of those people in a frenzy over the last few days before Christmas. I like to relax and enjoy myself at Christmas, rather than run round shops like a headless chicken with all the people who decided October was far too early to start thinking about it! ;)

But yeah, it amazes me how many scraps break out in shops before Christmas. Yes the queues are long, but that's all part of it; just get a Christmas Radio Times and spend your queueing time marking off that festive telly. :thumbsup:

Yep, same here. I can sit out the last few weeks in the run up knowing that I've got everything sorted and can enjoy the Crimbo atmosphere with my kids.
There are 4 birthdays in December (extra expense ;) in my family, mine's on the 21st so I can celebrate my birthday without worrying that I've not done everything I needed to do :D
Yeah Crimbo can be commercial but I buy loved ones' pressies because I want to :)
I don't feel forced or hijacked into buying expensive things, I try to buy what I know would be truly liked or appreciated whether it costs a few pounds or a bit more :)

Originally posted by LellyBee
Yeah Crimbo can be commercial but I buy loved ones' pressies because I want to :)
I don't feel forced or hijacked into buying expensive things, I try to buy what I know would be truly liked or appreciated whether it costs a few pounds or a bit more :)


I totally agree, and as i have a big family, is the main reason i start early and am happy to plan for the xmas period over the year.

:D :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Mathom
just get a Christmas Radio Times and spend your queueing time marking off that festive telly. :thumbsup:

Yeah, 'cause it's so good over Christmas.

4 days of Eastenders and Coronation Street anyone ?

I think its a good idea to plan a bit early cos I always end up leaving it til like the start of december n have no money!

Does anybody know of anyone in Sheffield who has decided not to celebrate christmas.. not because of religious reasons but just because they have decided to opt out????