Germans say 'bah humbug' to early Xmas
Christmas treats have already hit the supermarket shelves, but Germans surveyed by YouGov say "too soon!", while a third of respondents are for the government taking action to name a release date for holiday wares.
Three months before Christmas and the majority of Germans are already soured at the sight of gingerbread, Glühwine and other Christmas treats in their supermarkets.
An online poll, conducted by YouGov for dpa news agency, found that two thirds of Germans are annoyed by the early marketing of Christmas, and 47 percent find their enthusiasm for the upcoming season dampened by the early appearance of Christmas treats.
Among 45 to 54 year olds, 56 percent of those surveyed said their anticipation of the Christmas season was dampened by the September appearance of cinnamon-scented treats.
However, Stefan Hertel, the spokesman for the German Retail Association (HDE), told dpa on Monday that despite the survey results, people buy Christmas wares early.
"Shelf space is expensive for retailers," he said. "Nothing is put out that cannot be sold."
Most of the 1,000 people surveyed by YouGov said Christmas wares should not appear before November. Two in five said that the First Advent, which finds itself on November 30 this year, would be an appropriate time to start selling Christmas foods.
Only six percent said the first day of Fall (September 23rd) would be the right time to stock the shelves with Lebkuchen and Stollen loaves.
SEE ALSO: Ten ways to celebrate Christmas like a German
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Three months before Christmas and the majority of Germans are already soured at the sight of gingerbread, Glühwine and other Christmas treats in their supermarkets.
An online poll, conducted by YouGov for dpa news agency, found that two thirds of Germans are annoyed by the early marketing of Christmas, and 47 percent find their enthusiasm for the upcoming season dampened by the early appearance of Christmas treats.
Among 45 to 54 year olds, 56 percent of those surveyed said their anticipation of the Christmas season was dampened by the September appearance of cinnamon-scented treats.
However, Stefan Hertel, the spokesman for the German Retail Association (HDE), told dpa on Monday that despite the survey results, people buy Christmas wares early.
"Shelf space is expensive for retailers," he said. "Nothing is put out that cannot be sold."
Most of the 1,000 people surveyed by YouGov said Christmas wares should not appear before November. Two in five said that the First Advent, which finds itself on November 30 this year, would be an appropriate time to start selling Christmas foods.
Only six percent said the first day of Fall (September 23rd) would be the right time to stock the shelves with Lebkuchen and Stollen loaves.
SEE ALSO: Ten ways to celebrate Christmas like a German
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