It's July - so time for Harrods and Selfridges to open their Christmas shops

[Jazzy]

It is a tradition for Harrods to start their Christmas festivities early, but this year is the earliest in their entire history. At 8 am, 28th July, Harrods opened their Christmas range to the public.

Harrods stressed the need for the early launch, saying that there is an increasing demand from international shoppers for Christmas products.



“The peak for international shoppers begins at the start of July so we tried to cater to this early demand where possible, said a spokeman.



Part of the Christmas range includes an exclusive ‘12 ice-creams of Christmas’ collection.



Flavours include Mince Pie, Christmas Pudding with Brandy Butter, and the rather peculiar Brussel Sprout. The flavours were chosen after a survey about what foods makes people feel the most ‘Christmassy’.



The ice-cream will be available to sample from this weekend.





This years’ theme is ‘A Crystal Christmas inspired by Swarovski,’ so customers can expect a glittering exhibition.



There are over 250,000 decorations alone, and prices in the store range from £1.95 for a tree decoration, to £2,999 for a life-sized Santa Claus ornament.



And for the first time there will be an ice-rink on the roof.



Selfridges also launched it's Christmas display early.



Customers were invited into a wintery world despite temperatures outside soaring to 77F (25C), the festive atmosphere told a different story with Christmas trees, tinsel, Santa hats and best-selling Union Jack baubles decorating the shelves.



Its 'hot list' for 2011 includes Christmas trees up to 8ft high, which will set shoppers back a hefty £159, and exclusive stag and polar bear faux fur hats for £100 - a cult item in Japan.



And, after a slow start, customers began to make their way to the tills with their early festive buys.



Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...Selfridges-to-open-their-Christmas-shops.html



I don't know about the rest of you, but this is way too early to even think about Christmas. Bad enough it's become so commercialized but gimme' a break Christmas in the middle of summer! What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Chatsie]

This is ridiculous in my opinion.

If we carry on like this it will be like Christmas all year round !



If people want to start and buy presents early in the year, that's

their choice, but we don't need the Santa's and other decorations etc

in order to do so.

 

[Evil Eye]

Wut?



Soon they'll have a Santa-room, a section completely decorated for Christmas and selling Christmas stuff, year round. It's only a matter of time now.

 

[Jazzy]

Can you imagine by doing this how much it screws up children who believe in Santa? Poor children think it's Christmas only to be told it's months away!

 

[Evil Eye]

Look mummy, it's Santa!

No dear, that's just an overseer, checking if everyone's being nice. They dressed up the store a bit for him too.



Creative parents should be able to come up with something...

Still, good point.