[foot-loose]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogetBqMgau0][/youtube]

I don't know about anyone else, but as far as I'm concerned, Christmas doesn't start till this advert makes an appearance. After last years carry on with the advert not being shown, someone somewhere has got a petition on the go and they are bringing it back this year!

Coca-Cola Great Britain (CCGB) has unveiled its advertising plans for the Christmas period, which include the showing of its iconic ‘Holidays are Coming’ Christmas ad. It will air for the first time this Sunday 18 November.

CLICKY

You have no idea how happy I was then, at 6:50am while driving through the dark and cold streets of Glasgow, that I should hear it on the radio... I actually wept*. Now all I need is to catch it on the TV and jobs a good un.

So, to turn this into a post that actually engages the rest of the board, what makes you realise that its Christmas time.

* weeping is for dramatic effect only.

[Boboff]

I always think that August bank Holiday is the Start of the run up to Christmas

[ladbroke]

Birth of jesus, brought to you in association with coca cola. Sure brings a lump to my throat............

[Billy85]

I have seen the advert and its not that one its got the hoildays are coming music and some new people i think the vans with all the lights are on it but yes xmas can not start in my mind untill i have seen the hoildays are coming advert so last year was like i was left in limbo but this year xmas can start bring on the quality streets and big box of biscuits

[Billy85]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWHs5OiSwfA that is it there hope you enjoy

[MK Chris]

Billy85, just a quick pointer that if you use punctuation and sentences, your posts are much easier to read.

It's Christmas in December.. not a day before and not a day after.

[Yudster]

I start thinking about Christmas in about July, but out of respect to the rest of the world I tend to keep my dirty secret to myself. I don't go public with it until December.

[MK Chris]

My mum does her Christmas shopping all year round, though a lot of it is also done on the first Monday in December, when her and Steve make a trip to Brighton for the day.

[S4B]

BAH HUMBUG!!!!

[yorkypudd]

I have to say Christmas doesn't start here until at least next week! Which is excellent no September cards in the shops and Christmas crackers. Only a little run up to Christmas but! they don't take all the decs down until the 6th Jan which really does make a difference. It makes Christmas feel special the sales here start in Feb so no greed from shop owners and every one enjoys the festival! Which removes the true meaning of Christmas in the UK and the States which is money! I love it here family values and special occassions. Can't beat it!
If I don't get on before Christmas I wish you all the Happiest Christmas Greetings and the best of all new years
xxxxxxx

[Bonanzoid]

Christmas shouldn't be considered 'til December 1st at the very earliest. It's horrible having our Christmas lights on already.

[Yudster]

.............the true meaning of Christmas in the UK and the States which is money! I love it here family values and special occassions. Can't beat it!

I know where you are coming from, it does get a bit wearing with the constant retail pressure building from October onwards (or earlier someplaces I guess). It makes it harder to concentrate on the values you speak of, but not impossible at all, if thats what you want. If Christmas is a consumerist festival, it's because people want that. If it is a family orientated gathering then it's because people want that. And if it is a spiritual celebration for people with Christian conviction, its because people want that. I think that should cover pretty much everyone (if not, insert your preference for Christmas focus here). Isn't it good to have a choice?

And Bonanzoid is right, I love Christmas and get excited about it, but I don't get the decs and lights up until the weekend before at the absolute earliest. As a kid, we used to do it on Christmas Eve, but Mr Yudster won't let me leave it that late.

[Vivienne]

I saw the Cola ad already about 2 weeks ago.

What makes me realise it's Xmas time: when I hear the Xmas tunes in the shops. Just one of the reasons why I have already got all my pressies and have them all wrapped.

[Vivienne]

Sorry about the double post, but, by the above, I mean so that I can avoid the tunes.

[MK Chris]

I don't get the decs and lights up until the weekend before at the absolute earliest. As a kid, we used to do it on Christmas Eve, but Mr Yudster won't let me leave it that late.

We used to do it on the weekend closest to the 15th December, which is my dad's birthday and they'd be down by New Year.

Also, on December 1st it's time to wheel out Fairytale of New York again.

[Vivienne]

I love "Fairytale of New York"... always makes me laugh no matter how many times I hear it.

[Yudster]

Sorry about the double post, but, by the above, I mean so that I can avoid the tunes.

I love "Fairytale of New York"... always makes me laugh no matter how many times I hear it.

Just not in shops?!

I don't mind the Christmas stuff going on display relatively early (although before mid-October is TOO early) because there are many of us who need to be able to spread the shopping burden outside of December - but I really don't like seeing the stores actual decorations and trees going up before December, and I agree with Viv about shop music. I don't want to hear it until after November has finished!

[Vivienne]

Well, it may actually be the only one I can stand in the shops.

Another thing: the lights being on in George Square, Glasgow, means Xmas is almost here. And, they will shortly be installing the ice-rink, which is there for one month just of the year.

[MK Chris]

There are four Christmas songs I quite like, which are (in order)

The Pogues - Fairytale of New York (which is brilliant and none of the others come close)
Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody
Wizzard - I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day
Bing Crosby - White Christmas

All the others are a pile of shite.

[Ballbag]

Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin Stevens...... top trumps any Christmas song.

[MK Chris]

That comes fifth.

[Vivienne]

I like : Fairytale of New York
White Xmas
And one with... "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" in the lyrics. Can't think of the title.

[MK Chris]

You mean "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)"?

Difficult to remember, when you've already remembered most of it anyway..

[Vivienne]

I didn't realise it was actually called that.

[Zoot]

Did you know the only reason Father Christmas wears a 'Red Suit' is because of CocaCola marketing? I believe he had a green suit before he appeared in old cocacola adverts, where he adopted a red suit, and then it just stuck.

I'll see if i can find online evidence...