Complaining that Christmas has come too early is an age-old tradition: as early as 1901, a piece in the Philadelphia Inquirer lamented the early buying of Christmas presents. This year, seeing festive wrapping paper in September in supermarkets as we boiled in a heatwave felt even more bizarre than usual. But can it ever be a bad time to bring on merriment and joy? And do people think Christmas has come early at all? Poppy Noor took to the streets to find out.
Andy Bilson, 67, and David Tobis, 74
Andy: I’m not against Christmas, but starting in November is a bit stupid. I love mince pies, though! Mince pies should come all year round. I’ve had four. I bought a twin pack and ate both, with my own rum cream.
David: I think Christmas hasn’t come early enough! I’m visiting from the US so I want to see it while I’m here.
Mince pies eaten: 4
Joshua Bennett, 19, and Ebba Falk, 20
Joshua: Christmas hasn’t come too early. Although I noticed they put up the lights on Regent Street just after Halloween, which is a bit early. I haven’t had any mince pies yet, but I have had mulled wine.
Ebba: It gets dark so early in the winter, so it’s beautiful to be able to see the Christmas lights. I’ve had a mince pie this year – and I don’t like them! But my boss gave it to me so …
Mince pies eaten: 1
Ann Buysschaerat, 51, Boy Buysschaerat, 9, Claudie Couck, 45, Febe Nolf, 15, and Bo Nolf, 12
All: It’s never too early for Christmas!
Febe: I’m already celebrating. I’ve been listening to Christmas music since September – Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber. It’s great to be in London because you guys celebrate it so much more.
Ann: We haven’t eaten any mince pies … We’re from Belgium and it’s not a Belgian thing.
Mince pies eaten: 0
Salma Faraji, 48
I think every year Christmas just comes to the shops earlier and earlier. I’m not going shopping any more because there’s so much Christmas stuff at the forefront. I totally appreciate the celebration but why start in August or September? For people who work full-time it’s too much. Today I’m going to my 30-year school reunion; we went to a boarding school, so for us, Christmas always came late.
Mince pies eaten so far: 0
Sandra Florez, 37
Christmas has definitely come too early. Halloween hadn’t passed and there were already Christmas decorations in the shops. All that anticipation, it puts way too much pressure on. All of a sudden you’re worrying about presents, Christmas parties and food. It shouldn’t begin before the 1st December. I refuse to do any celebrating before then! And I don’t like mince pies.
Mince pies eaten: 0
Liam Osbourne, 32
In my family, Christmas starts 1 November. We love Christmas, so the more time we have to celebrate it, the merrier – I think it starts a bit late here to be honest. My grandma used to decorate department stores and I think she just took on that early festive mentality. I’m already celebrating in my own way, I’m listening to Motown Christmas on repeat. I’ve been saving Mariah Carey for December. My rule is not to drink at every Christmas party or you won’t make it through. And don’t eat any mince pies – they just don’t do it for me.
Mince pies eaten: 0
