Letters: Keep Christmas for December

It's that time of year again.
Reserve Christmas until December says a correspondentReserve Christmas until December says a correspondent
Reserve Christmas until December says a correspondent

Children are back at school, the nights are drawing in, and there is a distinct autumnal chill in the air.It follows, therefore, that our supermarkets will being stocking traditional autumn fare – pumpkins, warming soups, perhaps a few fireworks for Bonfire Night.Oh dear me no. Now is the time for hoppers of Quality Street, for tins of shortbread illustrated with scenes of snow and the little robin redbreast. It is the season for Christmas puddings and Christmas crackers.The supermarkets may think they’re helping us ‘spread the cost’ of Christmas. But they’re not. They are sucking the joy out of what should be a delightful time of year. By telling us all we should be stocking up for Christmas now, they are increasing the anxiety around the event – making us feel inadequate if we don’t have those mince pies for Auntie Ethel. Reserve Christmas until December, and spare us the angel chimes of festive fear.Phil LaurenceAddress supplied