When is too early for Christmas to start?

Now it will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am a big enjoyer of the festive season. So I am not at all sad that like every other holiday in the UK, Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier every year.

However I get that some people, possibly the types that don't dress the tree until Christmas Eve, still believe (not unreasonably) that Christmas decs and music have no place being seen and heard out of December.

I always used to wait until Advent Sunday which often falls in late November to declare the Yuletide season open, but since starting this website and monetising it I realise in the marketing world the promotion of Christmas needs to start earlier so you can get products in people's minds before they hit the shops/websites in earnest.

Christmas in July is a thing-brands and manufacturers show the press and content creators what's coming up from festive food to the latest must-have toys and the events are legendary, especially if like me you love Christmas. Sadly I am not invited nowadays (I suspect grasping blaggers ruined it for us small timers)  but I'll never forget the bizarre experience of stepping inside from a scorching hot, busy London street into a winter wonderland complete with snow, ski lodges, igloos and even a giant snowglobe you could get into!

Regular readers might have noticed I have been sharing gift ideas here and be assured I do only share things I genuinely recommend and think I or you might like.

I mentioned yesterday that I already have quite a few gifts wrapped (by my daughter who is much more careful and concerned about aesthetics than me) and at the weekend just hours after Halloween I spotted a fully lit house complete with illuminated Santa and another with a huge decorated tree in the window.

I've seen some posts on social media which really gave me pause for thought. You might not want to deck the halls in early to mid November but does it hurt you if others do? The posts I saw said to go ahead if you hate the dark nights, cold and general dreariness of this season and feel cheered by twinkling lights and jolly decorations.

Life here has been particularly tough lately with lots of medical issues affecting health, mood and finances and due to my husband's condition I have had to bear the brunt of most of the dull and scary life admin. Bless him, as a slightly Scrooge-like character usually at this time of year he told me this week to go ahead and decorate as soon as I like if it cheers me up.

I probably won't expose my premature Christmassing to the neighbours by switching on the outside lights just yet but I don't think it will be long until a tree appears in the house, although not before child4's birthday at the end of this week.

Luckily our conservatory is generally freezing so trees placed in there last for ages without shedding. I'd love a six-footer- we sued to be gifted trees by a Scottish Christmas tree distributer Pines and Needles (who I'd definitely recommend for amazing quality trees and kilt-wearing delivery people) but nowadays I have to buy my own so it will probably have to be rather shorter and maybe lifted to headier heights by a small table.

In the meantime I've been visiting shops and garden centres with child 6 who is home from uni for reading week and have treated myself to a few bits and pieces to go with our chosen theme, Victorian Christmas, including some crackers and some very cute felt mice.

In the midst of a lot of stress adding some cheap fun decorations subtly about the house has made me smile so I'm here to say if you need someone to give you permission to enjoy Christmas as early as you like, here I am - go ahead.

And if you prefer to keep the decorations in the attic until you have the turkey out defrosting, that's fine - you do you. In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter. Unless you keep the decorations up all year in which case please seek help.