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Is 'Christmas' over too soon?

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McRhu

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I was shopping for basics a few days ago, so it was the 3rd or 4th 'day of Christmas'. Other than the 'discount' shelves, there was no sign that it is still the Christmas season. No decorations, lights, music; nothing festive at all.
We spend ages preparing for Christmas but then seem to want to be over with it as soon as the season has arrived. What's happened to 12 days of Christmas? We barely get a handful these days. 12 days is maybe a bit much in these secular times, but would a week of Christmas/Yuletide festivities and cheer be too much to ask?
I agree - I'm a staunch 12th Night advocate although given the choice I would keep the Christmas lights twinkling throughout the dark, dreich months until at least March. I make a point of walking round the town admiring the Christmas lights and trying to soak up as much of the festive glow as I can while it's there. It is indeed over far too soon.
 
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Giugiaro

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In Spain, gift exchange happens on the 6th of January as it is the Three Kings Day.

With my family, we usually store the nativity scene on the 7th of January and remove all the Christmas decorations.
Unlike other European countries, the 6th of January isn't a national holiday, but it marks the official end of the Christmas festivities.

For me, the issue isn't the commemoration or not of Christmas and other festivities, but the over-mercantilization of those events.
I've been mostly immune to these as I've spent most of my time between work and home, using the internet instead of watching TV, and only going shopping for basic groceries.

Going to the high streets, visiting shopping centers, and watching TV is psychological horror these days.
It's all about the next big event, be it Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Carnival, Easter, Graduation, Summer Festivities, Vacations, Return to Classes, Halloween, St. Martin's Day, Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's, it's all just buy buy buy buy... spend spend spend spend!
 
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D6130

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In Spain, gift exchange happens on the 6th of January as it is the Three Kings Day.

With my family, we usually store the nativity scene on the 7th of January and remove all the Christmas decorations.
Unlike other European countries, the 6th of January isn't a national holiday, but it marks the official end of the Christmas festivities.

For me, the issue isn't the commemoration or not of Christmas and other festivities, but the over-mercantilization of those events.
I've been mostly immune to these as I've spent most of my time between work and home, using the internet instead of watching TV, and only going shopping for basic groceries.

Going to the high streets, visiting shopping centers, and watching TV is psychological horror these days.
It's all about the next big event, be it Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Carnival, Easter, Graduation, Summer Festivities, Vacations, Return to Classes, Halloween, St. Martin's Day, Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's, it's all just buy buy buy buy... spend spend spend spend!
I agree wholeheartedly!
 

PeterY

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If I had my way Christmas would start at 00.01 on Christmas Day and end at 23.59 on Boxing Day. <:D
I agree with you Mag Seven. My mini tree only went up on Christmas eve because my daughter was staying over and came down late Boxing day after she left.
I volunteer in a charity shop and weeks of Christmas Carols can be soul destroying.
 

Trackman

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The late and great Sean Locke had a great idea, make Christmas like the world cup - every 4 years, so the excitement builds up and no rushing to buy presents.
 

Cowley

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The late and great Sean Locke had a great idea, make Christmas like the world cup - every 4 years, so the excitement builds up and no rushing to buy presents.

And it still always ends in disappointment..?
 

Statto

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My area had Christmas Lights up from mid November, i don't mind that too much as at least it brightens what is normally a gloomy time of year, they're still up for the next few days.

The 12th day of Christmas is 6th January that's when decorations & all should be coming down.
 

pokemonsuper9

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I don’t understand what you’ve written, but an 8 year gap between Christmases seems pretty good to me :D
A leap year is a leap year if:
The year is a multiple of 4
Unless the year is a multiple of 100
Unless the year is a multiple of 400

So 2001 isn't
2024 is
2100 isn't
2000 is

So under that rule, there would be no Christmas in 2100, so there would be a gap from 2096 to 2104.
 

Ashley Hill

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Christmas preparations do start too early and by Christmas I’m a bit fed up with it. However,the week before Christmas wondering around the town with all the lights etc is quite nice,even with all the crowds. But after Boxing Day it all seems pointless.
 

Leaguer

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The build up needs to start no earlier than the 1st december then people dont get fed up.

At my work, decorations went up on the 28th november and came down on the 29th december whereas at home decorations up 10th dec and will come down on the 5th jan
 

Bevan Price

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Well - at least the TV schedules might become less saturated with ancient films, many of which must have been seen at least 100 times before.
Unfortunately many of them will be shown yet again around Easter.
 

dangie

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A leap year is a leap year if:
The year is a multiple of 4
Unless the year is a multiple of 100
Unless the year is a multiple of 400

So 2001 isn't
2024 is
2100 isn't
2000 is

So under that rule, there would be no Christmas in 2100, so there would be a gap from 2096 to 2104.
I’ve just Googled leap year rules. I never knew there were 3 rules for determining leap years. I always thought it was a simple case of dividing the year by 4. As they say ‘every days a school day…’ Thank you.
 

edwin_m

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I’ve just Googled leap year rules. I never knew there were 3 rules for determining leap years. I always thought it was a simple case of dividing the year by 4. As they say ‘every days a school day…’ Thank you.
Dividing by 4 is good enough for almost anyone who might be reading this around the time I'm writing it.
 

Magdalia

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I’ve just Googled leap year rules. I never knew there were 3 rules for determining leap years. I always thought it was a simple case of dividing the year by 4. As they say ‘every days a school day…’ Thank you.
For anyone born after 1900, and expecting to die before 2100, dividing by 4 works fine.
 

Russel

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The majority of shops in my town had decorations, lights and music from the start of December and i'm sure others experienced the same. My question would be does it start too soon?

I noticed the same, the start of December.

Maybe it's me, but it seemed later this year, I'm sure in previous years it would have been mid-November!
 

DM352

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Costco was ready for Christmas gear right after Halloween along with Walmart with their promotions ready in their seasonal aisles. Will be valentine easter eggs on Monday!
 

AM9

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Not really representative, Costco is largely a distributor to the retail trade, so by definition, must have seasonal goods available earlier.
Halloween commercialisation is an Americanism, - an event promoted in cahoots with the TV/film industry.
 

Mag_seven

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Well - at least the TV schedules might become less saturated with ancient films, many of which must have been seen at least 100 times before.

I'd rather have them than modern rubbish. Anyway who relies on TV Schedules at Christmas anyway with so much stuff available on demand.
 

Harpo

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With snow on its way (allegedly) I can’t remember who said it’s like your family arriving at Christmas. Nice at first……
 
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