"Starting too early takes the fun out of it" - two thirds of readers think Christmas starts to early

Humbug! Does the festive season start too early?

With this in mind we asked readers in our Facebook poll: “Do you think the build-up to Christmas starts too early?” At the time of writing, almost 200 people had voted, with 64% saying yes, 36% no.

Karl Schut thinks: “Starting too early takes the fun out of it. You're sick of seeing Christmas stuff before it's anywhere near Christmas.”

David Lodge said: “They start too early and get all the kids excited. They have a long time to wait for Santa when you’re little. They should start in December

Alan Donaldson said bluntly: “People have started to put up decs and it's still November, so the answer is YES!!”

Edith Lyn Mendez Luis was in the minority, saying: “It starts whenever you want it to. My decs are up, but the outdoor lights don't get switched on until December 1. It's my business, no one else's.”

Pete Davies had no doubts. He said: “Is it Christmas, NOPE. Answers its own question really.”

A festive Helen Sylvia Kerr Voura said: “I won't be going anywhere, but am happy seeing people and families happy and enjoying themselves. Remember the song; life is far too short for fussing and fighting my friend. Enjoy, be happy, but remember why we are celebrating.”

A distinctly un-festive Gary Dunmore said: “I think it should be every ten years.”