Do you think Christmas decorations and light displays are put up too early in some countries?

Some countries? No, ALL countries.

Yes, I do, but they are mostly torn down on the very day here in Japan. It's like a long build-up to a Christmas that never comes.

Well, I wouldn't say all countries put them up too early. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and some other countries probably don't. I don't think they are put up too early. There is a big build up to christmas and I don't see the harm.

Too early, too commercial and in Japan it's all over on Christmas Eve!

Yes. Absolutely. And when I’m hearing Christmas songs played loudly in the street from the first week of November, it’s actually making the month of December less meaningful. If shops want to set up a small corner to promote the season, fine, but full decoration and celebration at this time is way too much.

The countries that celebrate, yes.

Yes especially in Japan where Christmas decorations and shopping starts from November BUT the actual holiday is considered a working day.

Here in Japan, since Christmas is not a national holiday I would prefer not to see any Christmas decorations or buckets of fried chicken.

I'm Filipino and we generally begin decorating by the end of November 1. It's a cultural preference. It's just a festive mood, let's leave political correctness and other needlessly sensitive stuff out of our holidays. let the people enjoy their lives.

Of course the original meaning has been replaced by business considerations. Normally a start would be with or very shortly before beginning of the Advent season, the four Sundays before Christmas, therefore three to four weeks only, depending on calendar. For many companies or small businesses it is the very most or even the only time frame for making money, so they start two months or more before that recommended time. Some would, and a very few even astonishingly really do, illuminate or display Christmas decorations during the whole year. But on the other side, it wouldn't be any problem if they extend it all up to January, 6th. So the usual / maximum time span for decorations and illuminations is from the fourth Sunday before Christmas until January 6th. That's how it should be under normal conditions.

Absolutely. By the time Christmas actually comes around you've heard Chritmas songs and seen Christmas decorations for at least two months, and are already quite fed up with Christmas.

 but they are mostly torn down on the very day here in Japan

I asked what happened to the Christmas tree in my local supermarket on Christmas Day. They said the very next day they gave it away.

I once saw Christmas decorations on New Year's Day!!! Can you believe it? 11 months and 3 weeks too early.

Andy here in Japan, since Christmas is not a religious festival I would prefer not to see any Christmas decorations... But the buckets of fried chicken? Now you're talking!!!

The countries that celebrate, yes.

Japan celebrates Christmas. Go to any Church on Xmas and you'll see it.

Yes, it's a commercial event, but how is it stealing?

Christmas became pure commercial event-at least in Japan.

a pathetic way to steal money from peoples pockets.

Japan does not celebrate Christmas but probably the 2 million Christians do. Like Hindu, Jain, Muslim, and Jewish religious holidays, Christian ones are not recognized.

Oh please. Stop it. Do you even live in Japan?

Though Japan does celebrate Christmas, it does so in a distinctly different way than the American or European traditions call for. Japanese culture is shaped in many ways by the Buddhist religion, and only about 1% of the population is Christian. Unlike Golden Week, which is full of official Japanese holidays, Christmas in Japan is a decidedly unofficial but spirited affair.

https://m.jrpass.com/blog/do-people-celebrate-christmas-in-japan

Japan does celebrate christmas. It doesn't celebrate the way people in the west do, but that does not mean they don't celebrate it. What makes a celebration then? Going to church? There are atheists who celebrate chrismas, too, though not in the holy Joe sort of way. People across the world celebrate it one way or the other. There is no uniform way to celebrate it.

Why do you keep posting "Japan does celebrate Christmas" when clearly it does not?

But it does, and as Elvis is here has said, in a decidedly different way. All the illuminations that you find all over the cities are to take advantage of the Christmas consumer-based season. They attract visitors, which brings business to the location presenting the displays. It's not religious, but Christmas went that route a long time ago.

Hallowe'en is celebrated in Japan, but the tradition of trick or treating is not embraced. It's just more an excuse for people to dress in costumes and party.

In our location, there are no Christmas lights, no signs indicating it, nothing in the stores. You just wouldn't know. Not the same all over. Major stores in cities pushing it for business. Nothing to do with Christmas. People are working.

I do not celebrate Christmas in any way and most times it passes without me noticing. There are many cities that have winter luminations in the streets. Those I enjoy. I do not enjoy shopping in the stores. It's just another commercial con to get people to spend money. I guess the true Christians are the ones going to Church including the many foreigners here. Japanese are mostly not Christians and don't celebrate it. Eating fried chicken does not add up to much.

I celebrate it and make it as Christmascy as I can, not easy, but I keep my family traditions alive in Japan, with all the food and fixings and everything else that goes with Christmas, Got the Turkey, Honey baked ham and yams, stuffing and more. I also decorate my house to the max, so I do my part as much as I can. We try and celebrate a German-American, Christmas.

The name of this seasonal event is called "Christmas" but the majority of Japanese couldn't care less what it is called. Just another day for bright lights, shopping, and a favorite, fried chicken. The meaning of Christmas has no meaning except for those who are Christians.

The question of the topic is

"Do you think Christmas decorations and light displays are put up too early in some countries?"

and the answer is mostly yes.

In the west lights and decorations are now going up in Oct/Nov. What happened to the 12 days of Christmas?

"Do you think Christmas decorations and light displays are put up too early in some countries?"

and my answer is in Japan they get it just right.

After Halloween there is a nice slow build up to the jingly songs in December. Our advent calendar is lots of fun which adds to the excitement

My main concern is the environmental impact from illuminations and the waste generated

Same goes for Halloween

December 1 is the perfect date to get out the Christmas decorations.

Then, if I were back living in the West, I'd leave them up until after New Year's. But here in Japan, there are decorations and icons of the New Year holiday, and those are quite beautiful and important, so I have no issues with the public Christmas decorations being taken down immediately after the 25th.

Do you think Christmas decorations and light displays are put up too early in some countries?

Yes, way too early. Never seen in September, but in October, yes. And they get removed here in Japan way too early too. Have you never heard of Twelfth Night?

Funny thing is, I've not heard a Chrimbo song yet. But now I've got Mariah Curry worming my ear.

Yes, and it appears retailers are doing as much as they can to jumpstart the holiday season earlier and earlier every year. But who can blame them If you consider the fact that holiday season sales to retailers is 27% of their annual revenue.

At least in Japan there's very little done to disguise this holiday as a religious event. Hence the use of Xmas everywhere you look. To me this is a more honest approach to Xmas. Happy holidays everyone.

Now is way too early. I was shopping at an AEON yesterday that had all their Christmas decorations out and Christmas music playing. Its just depressing and robs the actual Christmas season in December of a lot of its emotional resonance if, by the time it arrives, you’ve already been listening to it for a whole month.

Now is way too early. I was shopping at an AEON yesterday that had all their Christmas decorations out and Christmas music playing. Its just depressing and robs the actual Christmas season in December of a lot of its emotional resonance if, by the time it arrives, you’ve already been listening to it for a whole month.

Totally agree. This is why I never do Christmas shopping before December. If I did, I’d be sick to the teeth of hearing Perry Como, Slade and Mariah Carey et al by the time it arrives. Stay well away from any shopping centre.

The most overrated festive in the world that last for more than 2 months.

Big business profits for Western markets.

Japan, a zen Buddhist country celebrating Xmas a lot more than "never heard Buddhist day", this needs to turn around.

Let's Japanese and Chinese together make Buddhist Day on 30th Dec and start to overturn the festive mood.

Moderater: I assume you are have not work here for long, where I have been a reader of JT for 10 years. Why I am telling this is because this How Japan use Xmas decor topic is drag out this time every year. Three years ago posted the same comment on how this Japan store owner used of Xmas decor and was not pull. Is your problem with me personally ? To pull a post detailing the use of Santa and a cross on the topic on How Japan use Xmas decor is showing your lack of maturity.