Amanda Holden this week revealed she’s lit the touchpaper…not on fireworks for Thursday night’s Bonfire Night celebrations but on Christmas.
In a video posted to her three million Instagram, the 55-year-old Heart FM and Britain’s Got Talent star shared a polished video of her Surrey mansion looking all dressed up for the festive season – more than seven weeks before the day arrives.
Explaining her devotion to yuletide, the TV personality said it harked back to childhood, saying: ‘We didn’t have much, but somehow Christmas always felt like we had everything. Even now, the decorations going up give me a lump in my throat.’
The footage showed Holden’s home inside and out, with giant green bows, bells, baubles and fir foliage on the exterior.
Inside, the same colour scheme continues, with the property’s impressive staircase dressed with twinkling lights. A large tree, with presents already under it, sits next to a piano in the spacious hallway.
The most surprising thing about the radio show host going early? She’s not the only one.
Other famous faces, including Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona and actress Claire Sweeney have also followed suit – along with plenty of mere mortals, if social media is anything to go by.
Bring on Christmas! Heart FM star Amanda Holden this week revealed she’s unleashed the festive season at her luxury home – and is unapologetic, saying ‘Feel free to mute me until January’
On social media platform TikTok, interiors influencer @Rubesathome shared footage of herself unpacking and decorating an artificial tree before switching on the Christmas lights.
The TikToker admitted putting up festive lights in the 11th month wasn’t a hit with everyone in her home, saying: ‘1st November and the Christmas tree is up, much to my husband’s disappointment.’
A survey published this week though revealed that more than a quarter of people have already started dusting off their decorations…and are adding Christmas songs to their playlists.
Meanwhile, some 22 per cent say they’ll be tuning in to festive films such as It’s A Wonderful Life and Die Hard.
Celebrations chocolates, which commissioned the survey of 2,000 adults, dubbed the results ‘Christmas-maxxing’ – a trend in which Britons try to prolong the festivities beyond December.
St Pancras International also unveiled its spectacular 11-metre Christmas ‘tree’ yesterday. The London train station has partnered with the German tourist board to create a three-tiered wooden monument with 24 ‘curiosity windows’ showcasing festive traditions.
Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona has also put her Christmas decor up and shared her handiwork with fans
Kerry opted for a glam white Christmas tree with gold and black baubles. Right: Actress Claire Sweeney has also put her tree up
While it’s not unusual for retail spaces to start wooing consumers early with seasonal dressing up of windows and shops, most homeowners have traditionally waited until the calendar clicks over to December.
Tradition dictates that Christmas trees and decorations should be put up on the first day of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas – however, the upper classes have been known to wait until the last weekend before December 25th, this year that’s the 19th.
UK Christmas tree supplier Balsam Hill says while trends are changing, the majority of people do still hold out until the first week of December.
The brand’s interior designer, Whinnie Williams, tells the Daily Mail: ‘Our research shows that while the first week of December remains the sweet spot, with around 40% of Brits choosing to decorate between 1st and 7th December, a keen 17% are getting festive as early as November.
On social media platform TikTok, this week has seen people sharing their November Christmas tree decorating adventures
‘I’m firmly in the ‘put them up whenever you fancy’ camp. With the days getting shorter and the weather turning colder, we’re naturally drawn to creating spaces that feel comforting, and Christmas decorations are an easy way to bring a little extra joy into everyday life.’
Interior designer Caroline Montague thinks our friends across the Pond might be the reason why so many of us now ‘go early’.
She explains: ‘I do think the Americanisation of Christmas has had an influence on how Brits approach the festive season in this country. We are increasingly influenced by American traditions such as Thanksgiving and Black Friday, and retailers now start bringing out their Christmas decorations and displays much earlier to coincide with this.
‘As a result, we are perhaps starting to think about Christmas and prepare for it earlier than we traditionally would have done.’
Is there a compromise that doesn’t leave you looking like you’re following social media trends? Introduce decorations gradually, says Ms Williams, building up with more as the big day approaches.
‘If you’re tempted to get a head start, one way to do this without going full Christmas overnight is to transition your decorations gradually. Start with a beautiful base of faux foliage, such as wreaths, garlands and greenery, which can work throughout autumn and winter.
‘You can then build on this with warm, cosy colours and natural textures before introducing berries, winter whites and metallics, followed by the baubles and bows. It means you can enjoy the feeling of a beautifully decorated home for longer, without everything feeling overtly Christmassy too soon.’
