OT - I don't believe it!

We were at a market yesterday when we spotted a couple of Christmas trees and decorations for sale however we decided they must have been for "Christmas in July" which is quite commonly held at various venues around Australia

Edna in Sydney

I don't see how this is *so* different than year-round stores that sell nothing but Christmas stuff. Sometimes I enjoy purchasing unusual pieces no matter the time of year, and put them aside until Christmas - especially in tourist areas. (Assuming I *remember* that I did so...sometimes I forget and have a pleasant surprise a year or two later when the treasures are "unearthed.")

sue

I don't remember seeing any "year-round stores" when we lived in England.

They may have reasoned this out as regards shoppers from the continent etc but sometimes I wonder if they will wring the neck of the goose that laid the golden egg.

For years Xmas has started earlier, we now stand at the day after Halloween and that has served to put many off. I don't mind dedicated Xmas ornament shops, I don't have to go in them, but the early start in regular stores, Xmas carols on the PA etc have definitely put me right off.

It's become just another marketing opportunity.

There's a Christmas shop in Bath Bruce ,but then, Bath does cater mainly to tourists !!! Jan in warm and muggy Wiltshire - so hot today but I think we'll have a storm tonight

There's a Christmas shop in Bath Bruce ,but then, Bath does cater mainly to tourists !!! Jan in warm and muggy Wiltshire - so hot today but I think we'll have a storm tonight

WE have an all year round Christmas Shop in Sydney at Ramsgate and several around the country.

Edna

Christmas shops abound - there are several in NH that I can think of right off the top of my head. And I've heard mention of a Halloween themed shop some place in the northern end of NH or Vermont.

Cheryl

Christmas shops in the malls around here. We were in one recently (not buying) and their sign said "look for the Halloween Shop in August." I guess they swap over for a couple of months, or at least do a partial swap.

Also, there are a lot of shops that do a Christmas in July kind of sale - some LNS here, and other big shops.

It is kind of amazing to think that Selfridges would be fully decorated for the Christmas season so early - maybe it's only going to be a partial Christmas in the summer promo, then they'll go back to the Fall stuff. Who knows. That used to be my favorite dept store in London (I still have my fabulous wish I could fit into it winter coat from there).

ellice

The lawyer who used to give me a ride to Berkeley in the mornings (he lived across the street from us) told me about looking out his office window one afternoon in JUNE to see Christmas decorations being hung up. Shortly after that he received a call from the local Chamber of Commerce, telling him that they were "testing" the decorations to see which ones the local business owners felt they could live with for the next several years. :-) Sure enough, they were back down two weeks later, after a decision had been made. I guess they had different designs on different streets so the business community could give their opinions. :-)

Liz from Humbug