It's Berchtoldstag but.. shhh... not everyone has this as a public holiday...

Oh Hey, Christmas is my favorite! But I was in Spain for 2 days and saw nothing like this. Also not in Germany yet.

I think in America we have rules as to when Christmas unfolds. First you have Halloween, then comes Turkey-Day, Then the day after Turkey-Tag you have an explosion of Christmas preparations.

I just find it amazing that we need 2 months to prepare for Christmas..... Seems like we would all be burnt out after 2 months?

In fairness to them though, the early start is at least partly because of St Niklaus' day on 6th December, which seems to mark the start of decorations being up and so on.

Otherwise i completely agree... with Christmas starting so early in the shops and streets, I am usually sick of it by the time it has arrived. I prefer it when the decorations are put up the weekend before Christmas and taken down quickly after New Year's Eve.

Wow! I was in Asia and Spain for 6 weeks.... So didnt see any of it coming. Honestly I thought it was december for a min. Had to rethink what the date was!

So, no 'Black Friday' here, huh? Probably not a bad thing, considering...

Some one told me that last year: The worse a store does during the year the quicker it gets ready for Christmas. I guess that makes sense.

When it gets dark.....

Last year I was in Boston last week in October & it was Christmas in most of the stores.

Christmas foodstuffs in Konstanz were on sale when we were there two weekends ago.

The UK has had "book early for Christmas" deals in pubs for Christmas dinner since mid August. The local pub to my mum had the usual drab, half-hearted Christmas tree with Christmas menus strewn underneath from 1st Sept.

Thankfully here in warm Spain, we don't have this crazy non-sens out yet.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, love, love, love. But in Canada, like CH, they get the decorations out even before Halloween is over and you stuck with Christmas decorations and christmas music for 2 long months!!!

At the end, Christmas is there and you are freaking sick of all of this already. it takes the magic and the fun out of the event.

It shouldn't start before December me think!

Can't remember what month you're in? When the Swiss start Christmas decorations is the last of your worries mate.

Since we're already on the topic, what's the best anti-Christmas place to visit during that dreadful time when everyone pretends to be merry? Must be within 3-4 hours flying distance.

Iran, Saudi Arabia...

Im not a college student like you so I dont have any calendar to worry about I guess?

Good luck on your exams.

You crack me up Zugar

Most households in the U.K. once the rest of the family and the mother-in-law arrives.

You! infidel! You don't celebrate the Jesus Christmas?

Me? Ah no, no.. I'm not a big fan of these silly religious festivals you know..

<sound of chopping off head>

ouch.

Well Muslims do believe that Jesus (Isa) is a prophet so I don't see why Muslims shouldn't celebrate his birthday

When I moved to Turkey, I was relieved to not have that crazy two months of Christmas decorations everywhere. I found out though that they do indeed decorate and celebrate with Christmas decorations for......wait for it..... New Year. I even saw Santa in their decorations many many times.

Or we all need at least 2 months salary beforehand to afford the prices for decorations and gifts in CH!