[Yudster]

Bless him, you can always rely on Clarkson.

[Nicola_Red]

You're far from the only person.

Christmas starts on Christmas Eve, that's when decorations go up. The 'festival' starts on the 26th and it continues to the 5th of January. Decorations then come down.

Those are the 12 days of Christmas.

It's really very simple.

I thought you might agree with me actually My mum would always insist that decorations only went up on the 22nd or 23rd - she said that if you put them up too early you get sick of the sight of them, and I think she's right. I don't know what radio station we have on in the office, but they're currently playing Stop The Cavalry and it's actually making me grimace. If I hear I Believe In Father Christmas too early and the magic is ruined for me, I'll be angry.

My flatmate and a couple of our friends play the game where you have to get to Christmas Day without hearing Noddy Holder shout "it's CHRIIIIISTMAAAAAS!" So if you're in a shop and it starts playing you must drop your stuff and leave, if it comes on the radio you must change channel. I almost got caught out walking past an ice rink last year - I had to run into a shop before the song reached that part. It's quite entertaining.

[Bonanzoid]

I love Matt Baker's reaction to Clarkson, looks like he was trying to hold in a massive fart.

As for Christmas, I'm a grump too, I'll start feeling festive after I finish my Christmas Eve shift.

[AndyJ]

Were not putting up Christmas Decorations at home this year, which is quite sad. Only because were not at home on Christmas Day, or Boxing day and go away on the 27th so we wouldn't make the most of them and then not be around to take them back down...

[Yudster]

I'm not a grump about Christmas at all, far from it, I LOVE it - but I agree that its far too early to put your decs up at home. I'll be doing ours probably on the Monday before - is that the 19th? - because I think that's probably the only day I will have time to do it. That's QUITE early enough, I agree, if they are up too long they aren't special and they look all tatty by Christmas Eve. Also, I tend to take them down just after New Year rather than wait for Twelfth Night.

[bmstinton93]

I think my parents are putting them up on like the 14th or something. I LOVE Christmas!

[Yudster]

You're far from the only person.

Christmas starts on Christmas Eve, that's when decorations go up. The 'festival' starts on the 26th and it continues to the 5th of January. Decorations then come down.

Those are the 12 days of Christmas.

It's really very simple.

That's true, but we are in Advent now which is also a "festival". Decorated trees and fairly lights have nothing to do with Advent or Christmas, but everything to do with Festival so I get why people lump it all together.

[chrysostom]

My calendar was in itself a decoration. It's celebrating advent, and puts me in a good mood - so i cast off any criticism of it. I've always followed the religious aspect of Christmas too, but I do enjoy the 'commercialised' side of Christmas too.

[Yudster]

Me too - and your calendar is specifically to mark Advent, so it HAS to start on December 1st! My Advent candles will be lit this evening - its the same thing! Well, with fewer socks.

[Nicola_Red]

Another Oatmeal comic seems appropriate at this point:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/christmas

[Wykey]

You're far from the only person.

Christmas starts on Christmas Eve, that's when decorations go up. The 'festival' starts on the 26th and it continues to the 5th of January. Decorations then come down.

Those are the 12 days of Christmas.

It's really very simple.

That's true, but we are in Advent now which is also a "festival". Decorated trees and fairly lights have nothing to do with Advent or Christmas, but everything to do with Festival so I get why people lump it all together.

It is, albeit one that I've always thought of as a sober, almost lent-light (if you know what I mean) - ie one that was a preparation for the actual celebration (which then started on Christmas eve and ran until 12th night).

[richbrown]

Once Dominic(k) the Donkey plays, that's my cue to do everything and anything involved with Christmas. I used to hate people putting stuff up early but I guess I'm having my quarter-life crisis and just going all out like a kid again.

[R94N]

I don't have an advent calendar...

[chrysostom]

i've just ordered most of my christmas presents - 3 weeks delivery should *fingers crossed* be enough for them all to get here in time. just my mum, gf, gf's family and one friend to go!

i may have just bought this for my girlfriend as a christmas present...http://bit.ly/uIlkVf

also i'm finishing in 40 mins, and will only be working 3 days a week for the rest of the year. WAHOO.

[dimtimjim]

Yes Chrysostom! Join the 'sit on your a$$ and wait for the presents to arrive' party.

I've been a member for the last two years. Not visited ONE shop to sort my present list. Sorted, you know it makes sense!

[chrysostom]

I hate shops at Christmas time, full of vultures. The only redeeming quality is the 3 for 2 offers.

[Wykey]

My sister does all of mine, I then give her a sum of cash.

She wraps and writes too.

My sister's ace

[dimtimjim]

My sister's ace

We all know....

[MK Chris]

The problem with not doing any shopping on the High Street is that if the High Street goes out of business, the internet will be a fully-fledged replacement for it.... with prices to match the old High Street.

[Boboff]

Indeed have you seen how much Carts have shot up in the last 100 years, it's a crime I tells ya!

[DevilsDuck]

Making me smile today...I have just set Dominic the Donkey as my ringtone...I suddenly feel very Christmassy

[Ilovematt]

Katie Price officially being known as a liar.

[Ilovematt]

Making me smile today...I have just set Dominic the Donkey as my ringtone...I suddenly feel very Christmassy

Where? When? How? Please

[DevilsDuck]

Google!

[Ilovematt]

Google!

Thank you.....