Yes, it had to happen and it's not even October.
Mince pies are in the shops. I have also seen Christmas Puddings, and Christmas Cakes. It won't be long before the aisles are filled with tinsel, tree baubles, and cheap gaudy Santa suits.
By the time we get to Dec 25th, we'll all be fed-up with Christmas, and only too pleased to see the back of it.
And, NO, I didn't buy any, but I did buy some Crumpets!
Mmm, crumpets. I used to make my own mince pies but it got too difficult having to clear off the kitchen bench just to have enough space to roll out pastry. Everywhere else is covered in cat hair.
ReplyDeleteLady Magnon makes wonderful Mince Pies, but they disappear too quickly.
DeleteAnd we haven't even passed Halloween!!
ReplyDeleteCrazy, isn't it!
DeleteYes, they've also appeared up here in the wild and desolate Cumberland. I bought a 6 pack, I like mince pies and don't see the reason why their consumption should be restricted to Christmas?
ReplyDeleteI agree, I love them. But this is all about advertising Christmas, and everything they can sell that's related.
DeleteIn our Poundland one side is all Halloween junk and the other is Christmas junk. Not seen any mince pies yet. But I bet they will be in Sainsbury's soon.
ReplyDeleteThey were in my Sainsbury's yesterday.
DeleteIt seems that Christmas tat arrives in the shops earlier each year.
ReplyDeleteRishi should make a statement!
DeleteThere are foods that I only learned about here and I still wonder what they are like. Maybe one day I will look for a recipe and make them.
ReplyDeleteThey are simply small pastry pies with a mixed dried fruit filling. Delicious.
Delete" Hot Cross Buns" are still for sale in Waitrose ! I buy them occasionally for P.
ReplyDeleteAre they to celebrate this year's Easter, or next year's?
DeleteMy week-end mornings would be very dull without Warburton's crumpets and butter and marmalade for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI like mine with just lashings of butter, nothing else.
DeleteIncredible! Thank goodness it's still summer here....today anyway. No signs of jolly holly.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope those signs stay hidden until mid-December.
DeleteIt's my birthday in a few weeks and I've always refused to think about Christmas until after that.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think use of the word 'Christmas' should be banned before Dec 15th.
DeleteCro, 15th December? You clearly never had an Advent Calendar, 24 little windows (starting on first December); you open a window every day. A sort of countdown. Oh, the anticipation. Not to mention Advent Sundays. My parents used to have an advent wreath (pine) with four tall candles. And on each successive Sunday before Christmas another one was lit until all four were blazing and the big day was just upon us. Magic!
DeleteAnd I bet Lady M starts "feeding" her Christmas Pudding well before the middle of December.
U
Ursula, don't you know that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit?
DeleteCol, let's forget that there was no sarcasm whatsoever in my reply to Cro. I merely related a childhood memory. One which, I am speculating, Cro can't relate to because he was boarded during term time.
DeleteHowever, to take up your slack: Don't you realize that a well trodden, repeated ad nauseam, phrase like the one you use is so low it doesn't even need a bar to jump over.
U
Ursula, I enjoyed your childhood memory. However, Advent calendars did not feature in British way of life until much later than when Cro or I were at school. I believe they were always much bigger (important) in Germany. In the church we observed Advent but not with calendars.
DeleteYes, Rachel, I sometimes forget that I live in a country with different traditions. What is interesting how my son has meshed those traditions - mind you, I suppose for obvious reasons, he observes those of his mother's more keenly. So, by way of example, Christmas Eve is the big event. The tree, the presents. Followed by a festive roast on Christmas Day and the big Ham on Boxing Day.
DeleteIt's good of you, and tolerant, not to mind mince pies and other seasonal stuff all year round. However, and I forgot to mention it earlier, I do agree with Cro that things come too early. Easter bunnies going on display in late January. I ask you. A few weeks ago I went to John Lewis. Argh. What the hell is all that black and orange? Ah, Halloween. Only two months to go (at the time).
U
I well remember that a friend of mine always bought her Christmas cards, gift wrap and crackers in August!
ReplyDeleteNo sign of any thing Christmassy here yet. We do have lights in some of the streets, but they are to commemorate Saint's days and are just left out to double for Christmas.
Dare I say it; but I do already have one Christmas present, although no Christmassy paper to wrap it in.
DeleteHot cross buns and mince pies are on sale all year round now. I have got used to it and don't have a problem with it. Christmas packaging very early can grate though. There is no reason why people shouldn't enjoy these things all year. Retail in food as well as general goods is difficult and the shops have to try to get the money in when they can so they have my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteQuite recently when it was 'miserable', Lady Magnon toasted some buns that might have been Hot X ones; I didn't look to see if there was an X on them. They were very welcomed on a foul afternoon.
DeleteA few weeks ago Costco had Christmas trees in one isle. Shocking.
ReplyDeleteThat is even more shocking than the Mince Pies!
DeleteTime for me to bake fruitcakes.
ReplyDeleteAnd put the Sprouts on to boil.
DeleteOne day, supermarkets will display Christmas goods the whole year round.
ReplyDeleteWe're almost there. I'm still finishing the turkey leftovers.
DeleteOh no, that's awful, soon these items will appear in July. I love that Lady M makes yummy mince pies. It's only something that English speaking people enjoy. The other cultures in South Africa cannot imagine a "sweet" mince pie.
ReplyDeleteHer Mince Pies are really good, plenty of difference dried fruits, no green bits, and a good splash of Armagnac. Superb.
DeleteGreat. I don't care that they are supposed to be Christmas fare. I love them.
ReplyDeleteI must agree, but why advertise them as 'Christmassy' with all that that entails. Just sell them as 'mince pies'.
DeleteRight now all our malls have pumpkins everywhere. I imagine those will give way to Christmas trees before long. Actually I don't usually decorate much except for Easter (my favorite - love the bunnies) and Christmas (love a Christmas tree decorated with all kinds of kids made ornaments - and Mardi Gras beads!). The other holidays seem more food related (Halloween - candy and Thanksgiving - Turkey)
ReplyDeleteHalloween is much bigger in the US than here. They try to make it into a big occasion, but it's never really taken off. Our Turkey is eaten on Christmas Day.
DeleteRight this very minute, there is a store with Halloween items set up. With Thanksgiving items set up AND with Christmas items. Multiple aisles of each. It is nuts.
ReplyDeleteI think it spoils it. When I was small the first mention of Christmas was for the school holidays. That's when it began. Now we have three months warning.
DeleteI totally agree, Cro. In our house we have December birthdays - mine on the 3rd, my twin boys' on the 4th, my husband's on the 6th and then 3 friends also before the big day....followed quickly in January by 6 more birthdays of friends and family. It's a nightmare. I'm exhausted before Christmas Day!
ReplyDelete