Oswestry shop kicks off festive season early

Card Factory in Bailey Street, Oswestry, started selling its Christmas cards, bags and wrapping paper last week – despite there still being four months before December 25.

Store manager Amy Matthews said she didn't see any problem with starting early and said it had provoked plenty of comments from customers.

She said: "Lots of our customers like to spread the cost of Christmas, so we make sure we launch our Christmas ranges in plenty of time.

"They seem to be going down very well with customers and the staff are enjoying getting into the Christmas mood."

But some shoppers said the sight of early Christmas cards filled them with despair.

Beverley Thompson, from Oswestry, said selling the festive merchandise in August was "madness".

Miss Thompson said: "I absolutely love Christmas but even for me it's far too early.

"It's still August and while I love Christmas it's ridiculous to have Christmas cards when the children haven't gone back to school yet.

"I haven't even been on holiday yet.

"I understand when people buy Christmas presents in the January sales, but when the cards are there in your face this early I really don't understand it. Someone else said Marks & Spencer has got their Christmas chocolates out as well. Won't they be out of date by Christmas?

"The end of October is probably early enough – get Halloween out of the way.

"No wonder people panic buy when everything's out in August.

"We go from one thing straight to the next and don't have time to enjoy the present.

"Putting it out this early is mad, absolutely mad. No wonder people get stressed about it."

l Is this the earliest Christmas merchandise in Shropshire? If you've spotted any festive cards or other treats on sale let us know by e-mailing pam.kingsley@shropshirestar.co.uk