It's Xmas...

[Gob]

Festive trees, decorations and cards have gone on sale at two department stores in central London, nearly five months before Christmas Day.

Harrods and Selfridges have opened their Yuletide sections, with both saying it was the earliest they had put their winter products on display.

Harrods has positioned an ice rink on the roof of its shop in Knightsbridge and has created 12 festive ice creams.

Selfridges, on Oxford Street, is letting customers make their own trees.

And it predicted high demand for its fake fur animal hats, including stag and polar bear styles.

The company said a 40% rise in international visitors over the past 12 months was among its reasons for selling Christmas merchandise in July for the first time.

Demand from tourists ensured that Christmas was "coming earlier each year", said buying manager Geraldine James.

"I can see a time when we offer a capsule Christmas collection throughout the year," she added.

Harrods has produced a dozen different festive-themed ice cream flavours, including mince pies, mulled wine and even brussel sprouts.

It is offering a life-sized Father Christmas for £2,999 and said it expected to sell enough tinsel to wrap more than 20 football pitches.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14330113

[The Hen]

I can't imagine why tourists are wanting Christmas at any time of the year?

I am not entirely sure I believe them.

[dgs49]

There are year-round Christmas Shops throughout the U.S., and although their sales are relatively modest throughout the first 10 months of every year, they sell enough to keep the doors open. My wife keeps her eyes open for Christmas shops wherever we travel, buying at least one trinket or an ornament at every one.

I ain't sayin' it's rational, I'm just sayin' I see it manifested all over the U.S.

[Gob]

We have those to Dave, and Xmas in July stores (trying to push for a mid-Aussie-winter-Xmas-festival.)

But the stores above are now starting their Xmas season.

[Long Run]

Christmas doesn't happen in June-July in Austraila?

[Gob]

Errmmm..... no....

[The Hen]

... and he is still getting used to it being around 34 degrees Celcius.

[loCAtek]

...That officially began today! Start your shopping early!