Christmas Comes Early for Eli by Sienna Bishop

'It's funny how Christmas decorations at home can make you happy, but in the shops I think they increase stress levels.' - Trish Wade Just think another week or so and you'll be able to get a hot cross bun.' - Melanie Caccamo Listeners to ABC Radio Brisbane had mixed views on the topic. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe) The good and the bad of Christmas shopping Not everyone enjoys the early Christmas cheer. 'If the stock's not present in stores then the retailers just can't keep up.' 'The bakery goods have been sitting there for months and they need to be out in stores because when the sales hit in early December they lift so quickly. 'Retailers want to get stocks out as they've been sitting in warehouses for six months - the Christmas trees and the decorations have been there for a long time,' he said. 'By the time we get to Christmas, many are usually well and truly over it, but people do start to budget for it when they see things in stores.' 3. 'By flagging it with people so early in the piece, people begin to think about planning Christmas lunch and gifts so begin to put money aside. 'Because we're talking about it and shoppers are seeing it in stores, it makes people start budgeting for Christmas,' Mr Mortimer told ABC Radio Brisbane's Craig Zonca and Rebecca Levingston. 'Shoppers might not be buying items in October or even November, but when they're thinking of going to buy Christmas items closer to the day, they know where to go as they've seen it as they've walked past it for the last six weeks.' Loading 2.

'Consumers shop in grocery stores at least on average three times a week, and they're walking past the mince pies and just subliminally they're seeing Christmas in their minds,' he said. Mr Mortimer said there were three reasons why retailers brought yuletide cheer early each year. 'This year it is estimated that between mid November and Christmas, Aussies will spend over $50 billion in retail alone.' 'It's also popping up in discount department stores, stock is arriving in stores as we speak - Christmas is well and truly here.

Christmas Comes Early for Eli by Sienna Bishop