As we move into November and away from Halloween, more and more Christmas decorations seem to spring up around us.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Irish Examiner columnist Jennifer Sheehan said she doesn’t want to be sick of Christmas by the time the big day rolls around.
“I think we've gotten ourselves into this spiral," she said.
"The big corporations are doing it because they want us all to panic about the fact that we don't have our Christmas presents bought six to 11 weeks in advance.
“Then, of course, the small businesses have to follow because they need those customers too, so I'm not blaming them – but could we not just restrain ourselves until December?
“I’m not a grinch – I love Christmas, I say this out of an absolute adoration for Christmas – but I don’t want to be sick of it by the time it rolls around.”
Halloween
Ms Sheehan said that it is getting to the point where even Halloween is being overshadowed by Christmas.
“There were a couple of places I visited over October – and I didn’t want to get angry, but I had to defend Halloween,” she said.
“I love that Halloween is getting a bit more recognition in Ireland, and I love that people are decorating their house.”
“My favourite day of the year is seeing all the little kids going off to school in their little costumes, and I love it.
"I think let's not let Christmas take over Halloween.”
Bleak winter months
Ms Sheehan said that the bleakness of the other winter months doesn’t help matters.
“Now if you personally love putting up your Christmas decorations early – go for it, I have no judgement on what people want to do in their own homes,” she said.
“I put them up the first week of December at the very earliest – but I will say, I really recognise that November is a bleak month.
“I say this as somebody who has a birthday in November – and I am one of those people who loves their birthday a bit too much.
“November is bleak, January is bleak – so I do understand those people who want to put them up a bit too early, or who leave them up a bit too long.”
Ms Sheehan said that there are ways to bring colour and seasonal joy into our houses without ‘going full blown’ on the Christmas decorations.
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