CHRISTMAS has come early to households across Basingstoke with some residents having their trees up since Septemeber.

In a bid to bring some must-needed cheer to 2020, Basingstoke residents are already rocking around their Christmas trees.

Despite 39 days to go until the big day, many have told the Gazette that they have given their homes a festive makeover to cheer themselves up.

Monique Collingridge puts her Christmas tree up in September every year.

Basingstoke Gazette: Monique's treeMonique's tree

She said: "It’s a family tradition for us! My mum always did the same when me and my sister were younger. It doesn’t make Christmas any less magical, if anything for us it makes it ten times more exciting."

Monique waits a little longer for her outdoor decorations, usually putting the up promptly on November 1.
She added: "We love it. 2020 hasn’t exactly been the best of years for anyone so surely it just gives even more reason to go all out and make it a Christmas to remember!"

Sarah Purser certainly went the extra mile to get into the festive spirit this year. Her decorations went up on October 10, in an attempt to bring "cheer in this horrible time".

Basingstoke Gazette: Sarah's Christmas decorations went up on October 10Sarah's Christmas decorations went up on October 10

Traditionally people would put their tree up on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which this year falls on November 29.

The Roman Catholics tradition was even stricter, waiting until the afternoon of Christmas Eve to put their trees up.

But Steve North was unable to contain his excitement: "We always put our decorations up early but especially this year as it has just been a really bad year for everyone so this is just to try and  cheer people up and get in the Christmas spirit early."

Basingstoke Gazette: Steve North's festive living roomSteve North's festive living room

While people may not follow strict traditions when it comes to Christmas these days, a lot of people feel that anytime before December 1 is just too early and takes the magic away.

Andy Silver argued: "Christmas is the last thing on my mind at the moment. While I'll appreciate it's on a few people's mind as a distraction. Maybe in the few days before?"

Jo Woods joked: "Six weeks of dust. I'll leave mine till a week before Christmas thanks."