Christmas shopping vox pop: when is it too early?

Jessica Stubbs & Oliver Davies of The Royal Christmas Emporium

Last week saw Cardiff City Council start the process of installing Christmas lights around the city centre. However, the Council were not the only ones preparing for the festive season.

The Royal Arcade has a brand new pop-up shop; the Royal Christmas Emporium. The shop, a subsidiary of the well-known stationers The Pen & Paper, is open for business until the New Year. It offers a huge array of yuletide treats; from Christmas trees and decorations to advent calendars and Christmas cards.

With an obvious love of Christmas, Jessica Stubbs and Oliver Davies, of the Royal Christmas Emporium, explained that opening in October had garnered a positive response from the public and that the Emporium was ready for when people want to start shopping.

Vox pop: When is it too early for Christmas?

Carol Davies, 54, Director of the Board of Community Health Councils in Wales from Barry:

“For me, the first week of December is right. Any sooner and they [the shops] are pushing their luck, it’s too premature.”

Rob Jones, 24, Charity Fundraiser from Chepstow:

“I saw stuff [in the shops] back in late August. I was dismayed to see it. One festival should come at a time, so for me after Halloween is okay.”

Amber Lock, 20, Carer from Bristol:

“I’m a late Christmas shopper but I don’t think there should be anything in the shops before Halloween. “

Daniel Arnold, 33, a promotions assistant from Tottenham in North London:

“I was dressed as Santa for a promotion in August and I got quite a lot of comments. Personally, I think if people like Christmas then they generally don’t mind but if you’re a Scrooge it’s always too early.”

Natalie Ker, 28, a telesales worker from Caerphilly:

“I am a last-minute shopper but I think the end of November is prime time because you get the joy of Christmas shopping with everyone else.”

Mrs Newcombe, 72, a retired care nurse from Penarth:

“The first of December is early enough [for Christmas]. There are 2 shops in Penarth already with decorations up and I saw cards back in July.”