"I can't believe how many Christmas trees are up already!" - Echo 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 600 people had voted, with 68% saying yes, 32% no.

Neil Heskett said: “It's been Christmas since August. I hate working in retail this time of year.”

Eileen Joyce thinks it all starts to soon, saying: “I love the build up to Christmas, but in December not October/November. I can’t believe the amount of Christmas trees that are up and some since just after Halloween!”

Gavin McGill agreed saying: “I saw the first tree up on November 7. Shops don't help by having Christmas stuff to sell in early October.”

Paul Barfoot’s message, sent on November 25, read: “Today is fine. It's now exactly a month away.”

Sonia Ramsey said: “More near to Christmas, like the second week in December. Seeing Christmas trees up half way through November is just not on.”

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.”