When does Christmas actually start?

[Bob Buzzard]

Aside from Advent signifying the onset of the Christmas season I think that Christmas actually starts at 3pm on Christmas Eve (via BBC R4) when the lone chorister steps forward into the nave at King's College, Cambridge and starts the solo first verse of 'Once in Royal David's City'. That is when I sit back, reflect, and have a large JB whiskey. What do other people think? Does Christmas also start at the same time for them?

[Otta]

Usually for me it's when I finish work on Christmas Eve.

This year I've actually booked it off, but we've offered to do dinner for my family and my father in law, so I think my Christmas will start AFTER Christmas dinner is out the way.

[Alan Medic]

This is Narnia. Always Winter, never Christmas.

[red devil]

The day of the office Christmas do...hic!

[tomskip]

I agree that the solo of Once In Royal David's City on R4 is a very significant moment, but for me Christmas starts mid-December when we put our tree up (we do have fairly young children). By then we have sent most of the Christmas cards - if not bought all the presents or the food shop and so we are starting to feel a wee bit Christmassy. It will be 12th/13th December for us this year.

[Siduhe]

Gaudete Sunday for me. Or as my mother once put it, the bit "where Advent lightens up a bit and you get a nice pink candle or two".

[Blah Blah]

When you have children, it starts when that advent calendar comes out.

[numbers]

Bob Buzzard, for me it's that special time of year when I sit around the log fire, open the vintage sherry and gaze into the eyes of my Norwegian husband and think how very lucky we are to have each other. Silly, isn't it?

We don't usually get to spend much time together due to work!!!

[uncleglen]

12 days of Christmas- starts Christmas day...runs to 5th January

[Louisa]

For me it's when the tin of quality street is officially allowed to be cracked open. Usually Christmas Eve night, once all the carol services start.

Louisa.

[DulwichFox]

It starts when you buy your 4 year old daughter a Puppy and ends Boxing day.

DulwichFox

[Help-Ma-Boab]

When I hear Fairytale of New York by The Pogues on the radio or in a pub. Today Christmas started...

[phobic3000]

Good shout Help-Ma-Boab, we got our tree today and put the decorations out so now it's on...

Not a fan of drinking it but I love walking into a warm pub and getting hit by the smell of mulled wine.

[phobic3000]

Or when Elf is on' telly

[Help-Ma-Boab]

If I haven't heard The Pogues...then my default for Christmas starting is Sports Personality of The Year. That Sunday. CHRISTMAS IS ON...

[Bob Buzzard]

Mmm - all these things are like Advent Sunday - signifying the onset of the Christmas SEASON, but actual Christmas itself starts at 3pm on Christmas Eve (via R4) when the lone chorister steps forward.

Did anyone realise that none of the choristers know who the Choir Master will select for the solo until the moment just before they have step out, when he points at one of them? Apparently this is done to reduce anticipatory nerves.

[siousxiesue]

When I can't hold off any longer and crack open the port!

[New Girl]

Tomorrow, or technically in 8 minutes time. It's Sinterklaas. St Nicholas' day. Although the tree won't go up for at least another two weeks!

[Otta]

When you have your first festive pie from maccas.

[Jeremy]

Otta Wrote:

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> When you have your first festive pie from maccas.

I had to look that up. I'd never heard of such a thing. Now I want to pop out at lunch and get one.

[Otta]

They are good. In a very dirty way.

[Jeremy]

Christmas started for us on Saturday, when we bought a tree and a wreath. I admit I was initially all a bit "bah humbug" about it. But when our almost-two-year-old started enthusiastically "decorating" the tree, and pointed in wonder when we turned on the lights... was hard to be cynical about it.

[uncleglen]

Having been in and out getting every day shopping over the weekend I was convinced it was about the 18th December and was very surprised to see it is only the 7th. The nauseating xmas tunes in sainsbury's has done my head in and I will not be going there again until after the holiday.....

[Earl Aelfheah]

..around the 25th December if i remember correctly.

[Otta]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Christmas started for us on Saturday, when we

> bought a tree and a wreath. I admit I was

> initially all a bit "bah humbug" about it. But

> when our almost-two-year-old started

> enthusiastically "decorating" the tree, and

> pointed in wonder when we turned on the lights...

> was hard to be cynical about it.

Yep. I used to be quite anti Christmas, describing it as a horrible time which makes lonely people feel even more lonely.

And it is exactly that.

But when you have young kids it is hard not to get caught up in their excitement and wonder.

When I see adults get all excited about it I don't really get it.