I don't think it starts too early. The problem is the emphasis and the commercialization as opposed to the birth celebration of our saviour. We should celebrate this event longer but with a dedication to presence and not presents. Blessings...

I love Advent, the time in the church community, where we celebrate and reflect on the messages of Christmas. A time of preparation.

What I don't like, is the commercial of Christmas which hits me smack-dab-centre on November 1st. The Hallowe'en candy & costumes are replaced by christmas items and throw-away presents, targetted to be able to be bought for anyone, and hence, suitable for no one.

By involving myself in the community, i am able to get past those bah humbugs I feel, of the chronic consumption of our society,and get back to the message, the love of christmas. The joy I had as a child, the wonder and mystery of it all. Yes, Santa & Jesus get mixed up some times, but, if in doing so, one heart is lightened, then, I say, it's all good,

I love the time of preparation. The family traditions, the planning for get togethers, the social times of breaking bread with church community, and the explorations of faith.

Well the Christimas music blaring in stores pre December is grating but I really enjoy the Christmas lights which kind of brighten up the greyest, dullest day of the year.

Depends what you mean by Christmas season. Is that in regards to the birth of Christ or the commercialism?

I get sick of all the focus on presents, especially when you're out and about with young children. My kids and I like to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, first and foremost. We always carry something to put in the Salvation Army kettles and stuff like that. They are learning how good it feels to give to others in celebration of Jesus's birth.

When the local Santa Claus parade takes place BEFORE Remembrance Day, the Christmas season starts too early. Call me Scrooge but I don't want Christmas music until after Dec. 1st. My girls disagree. They always win but I don't mind too much hearing Holly Cole, Harry Connick Jr., and even Bing Crosby belting out those old favourites.

I used to be all about waiting until well into December to really begin getting excited about Christmas. But now as a university student, I've changed my views on that a bit. The people I live with at school are special to me and I want to enjoy the positive atmosphere and specialness of the Holiday season with them as well as my family. Since people start leaving fairly early in December as soon as exams are done it is necessary to start celebrating early or you won't get the oppertunity at all.

not at my church - we begin to prepare at Advent - the stores on the other hand begin as they put the halloween candy away - depends which season you celebrate I guess.

I agree with the responses that differentiate between the real Christmas season of Advent and the season for the retailers! I love Advent, and all it entails, but do find that retail has invaded the Christmas season with the wrong idea.

In our home we enbrace both Jesus and Santa Claus - but in that priority order. We recognize Christmas for the Birth of Christ, and we give gifts to represent the Three Wise Men who also gave gifts.

The pleasure of giving, and the spirit of Santa Claus are alive and well in our home (even though the kids know who delivers Santa's gifts)! Our church sponsors families for Christmas and our family always participates - we recognize our blessings in what we have, and try to share with those who have less.

As far as Christmas starting too early - I can't really comment - the only reason my Christmas decorating hasn't started is because I still haven't taken down my Hallowe'en decorations!

I think that the retailers push it too early. They should at least wait until after Remembrance Day before putting out the merchandise and decorating. We start here at home the first week of December or the closest week to Advent and our church decorates usually the first week of Advent as well. The end of November is really early enough as the real meaning of Christmas is Jesus and not the retailers selling their goods.

The scariest thing I saw was Halloween decorations up at a local chain, along side of Christmas ornaments. Is that pushing it you think? Wow I guess my skeleton should have had tinsel wrapped around him...

Not really.This is my favourite time of year.Busy of course but so thankful.What I really get upset about is all the begging letters that come to us at this time.I have a small bag on my table in my living room and it is over flowing with letters from all over the country.How can I give to all these organisations?Well of course I can't.I do what I can and throw the rest away.I enjoy Christmas and whether Christ was born this day or not I am so glad that he did come to us.He was born sometime and this is as good a time as any to celebrate that fact.

It's hard to blame the retailers - have you been to the mall in the last few weeks - they're already packed!

I think all we can do to limit the commercialization of Christmas is to limit our own spending habits. If enough people do this, the economy will adjust.

Personally, I'm going to at least start recycling newspaper to wrap gifts, and stop buying so much fancy wrapping paper each year...hey, it's a start, right?

I guess one perspective might be how any holiday becomes driven by retailers and card companies, yes that includes credit cards. So in the blaze of retail madness how does the light of Christ shine. Another question might be what we pass on to our kids that supports the message of consumerism or do we seek to provide a counterbalance to consumption.

We find it difficult when the commercial push begins but we love all the other parts ~ particularly the music and the stories that we here only at this time of year ~ it takes a lot of days to fit everything in. But I have a question to add to the discussion: how does it feel in families where there are faith traditions other than the Christian? We have two Jewish grandchildren and a Jewish son-in-law. We do our best to be sensitive and sensible but there are always awkward moments!

The Christmas season for me begins with Advent, although some pre-planning is often necessary for family get-togethers etc. Commercial interests try to get us started long before this, but we can choose our response to ads. I find though that even in a faith context, we tend to rush to Christmas Day and not take the advent journey of spiritul preparation. I think that this is as important as the big day itself.

I myself think that before there is Christmas there must be Advent. We need time to watch and wait, to pause and to reflect. Even having raised 4 children Christmas in our house did not start until as close to the actual Christmas Day as possible, in our house (much to my children's protests) the Christmas tree or decorations (other than the mangers sans Jesus and with Magi travellling daily from the easternmost part of the house) went up the Sunday before Christmas Day. We concentrated on the Advent wreath and other daily rituals to lead us to the big day of Jesus birth.

Part of the answer for me is in the question. According to the liturgical seasons of the Church - Christmas season does not actually start until December 24th. We NEED advent in order to be 'ready' for Christmas.
The 'shopping' season known as Christmas, however, does seem to start early and the way that many businesses, etc. have to have their parties in November so as to avoid the December rush is a little stressful for some people, I think.
One thing that has been somewhat 'tricky' is the discussion around when to start singing Christmas carols. In our congregations we have tried to focus on Advent and that includes Advent music - but there are lots of comments about why do we have to sing these instead of our favourite carols? So, in one place, the choir and musicians come 15 minutes early on Sunday mornings in December and people can request their favourite Christmas hymns. Then in the services we can re-focus on the 'waiting' part of Advent.
My birthday happens to be in December as well - about halfway through the month - so, in my own household, that is often the time we start with the decorations, festivities and music. And I don't mind having a December birthday - it makes the celebration even more special (:
Speaking of music though - a recommendation for a great CD - it's called "Christmas Songs" from Netwerk and it's got everything from Bare Naked Ladies version of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" to Dido, Meryn Cadell and a very funny story of Stuart McLean's.

any other recommendations for music? I haven't heard Sarah McLachlan's Christmas CD yet, but planning on it!
thanks for the conversation! Shelly

there was a time when I felt little joy with Christmas but now have a very different outlook. Now I start early even in NOvember setting up decorations a few at a time to build anticipation and help prepare me and those who look at the outside decorations for the coming of God incarnate in Jesus, in all of us. Our family is discussing how we could slow down on gift giving to each other ( we who have everything we need) and put our focus on the less fortunate. WE're not sure yet how we will live this out so looking for ideas. Thanks

August 25th I start singing Christmas songs. In the privacy of my own home.
I don't start singing them in public until the weekend before Halloween.

The word for Christmas season is really Advent. Advent is a celebration of all things Christmas. The fact that retailers refuse to use the term "Christmas shopping" is a big win for advocators of an uncommercial Christmas. When this uncommercial attitude spills into holiday cards as opposed to Christmas cards, one is celebrating the commercialized holiday as opposed to celebrating Christmas.

Christmas changes as we get older as do our roles. Celebrating advent is how adults celebrate Christmas. It is the way that one celebrates advent that really makes Christmas happen. Christmas becomes the grand fanalé. Once advent starts, it's time to break out the Christmas albums and get into the spirit of Christmas. It's time for all the elves to get to work and for Santa to do his promotional tour.

That period which begins after Christmas is really an encore to advent. So I enjoy advent most of all. By recognizing it and acknowledging how to enjoy and celebrate it, one avoids the horrors of last minute shopping.

So merry Christmas everyone! Welcome to the Christmas zone known as Advent.

The season does not start too early, I listen to "Christmas" music in July. I want to celebrate the birth of our Lord all year round. The commercialization of it does start too early though. The stores should hold off till after Rememberance day.

I have always thought that Christmas is simply the beginning of Easter. So, does it ever really end? In which case, it never starts. Oh, you mean "shopping"! Why didn't you say so? What the heck does that have to do with Christmas? That is Xmas; something totally different.

When I'm asked, "Are you ready for Christmas?" I like to respond, "I'm ready for Jesus second advent." How come we hear so little about it?

Sometimes I think we make a fetish of His first Advent which certainly was important, but His life and death and resurrection make His second advent a definite event - let's be a bit more aggressive about preparing people for that - that is, encouraging them to have a personal relationship with Jesus so that when He returns He will "know them" and they will "know Him."

For Commercial purposes, Yes. for understanding the "real" ralities oflife, NO.

A true sercher for understanding never starts too early. And it is a non-stop occupation and interest. What ar we really ast human beings? How we relate to everything else in existence is an eternal question. There is no final answer , but we can come closer to an eternal truth. For Christtians, we can find the help with the answer in Jesus, and great characters like him. The "prize'is not inthe answer,but in the process of searching as a life journey. Christmas celebrations and seeking understanding is the tool that leads us to ever better understanding. Thanks for the oppertunity tp grpw/

I couldn't get Halow'een stuff because I was tripping on Santa Clause. This is rediculous. I think Christmas shouldn't be thought of before December 1st.

I believe it starts too early. First we should have all the Sundays in Advent with our Advent Wreath with candles only, then decorate the tree and light it on holy night and for a few days after.

When the Christmas season begins is entirely up to you. Just because retailers like to get a head start on selling Christmas decorations early, doesn't mean tis the season to be jolly. In my opinion, the Christmas season should start when you say to yourself It's starting to feel a lot like Christams, not I'ts starting to look a lot like Christmas.

I agree with Rob. We decorate the first weekend in December regardless of what everyone else is doing. We have also told our children over the years that Christmas is about alot more than the commercial. Each year when I ask my children for their wish lists, they say its a mile long and yet I haven't seen a list in four years.

I was driving to schoool this morning and I saw a house fully decorated! I mean lights, lawn ordiments, and all that jazz. The whole lawn was covered with stuff and I just looked in amazement. For one thing, IT IS ONLY NOVEMBER!!!! I like to wait until december to start the christmas spirit. That way I don't feel it's overdone. The second amazing thing about this house is that the people inside must be so eager to put there decorationsout and declare that Christmas is coming. I mean, it is freezing outside (it's -23C feeling more like -33C) and there they are putting out christmas decorations lie the weather means nothing to them. As much as I beleive that they are celebrating Christmas too early I have to admire their determination and willingness to go outside n the freezing weather and put up decorations.