UK-based Maddy sparked strong reactions on social media after she told her TikTok followers that a casual trip to B&M had turned into a full-blown festive haul – months in advance of holiday season.
In a TikTok shared on her account @moonlitmaddyx, the savvy shopper explained that the store’s shelves are already lined with Christmas gifts, decorations, and toys.
While she hadn’t originally planned on stocking up for Christmas so early in the year, Maddy felt it was the ‘perfect opportunity’ to get ahead of the crowds that inevitably descend on the high street in November and December.
In a clip that had over 155,000 views on her account @moonlitmaddyx at the time of writing, she shared: ‘It is August the 23rd, and I’m going to see my Christmas shopping.
‘Yes, you heard that right – Christmas shopping. I was surprised. I went to B&M yesterday and it had so much Christmas stuff here.’
Maddy shared that ‘it was actually a really nice experience’ to shop for the holidays without any last-minute panic or out-of-stock disasters.
The clip drew mixed reactions from her followers; while some praised the mother for getting ahead of the Christmas rush, others claimed it was too early to even start thinking about the festive season.
A mother has divided opinion online after revealing she has finished her Christmas shopping in August
Explaining her rationale in the video, Maddy said: ‘When you go Christmas shopping in November or December, it is absolute chaos. I felt like I had first dibs on everything. It was amazing.’
Maddy also shared a budgeting hack that has helped her cover the various Christmas expenses, with the thrifty mum putting aside £50 every month towards things like presents and decor items.
‘I also save £50 a month, every month,’ she told her followers. ‘It’s well worth doing if you can, because I just had the money sat there and it just seemed like the perfect opportunity.
‘I just don’t think you can beat B&M for gifts. It has something for everyone,’ Maddy continued.
‘And I managed to get nearly everyone in my family something and that means I will not be participating in the crowds this year, thank god.’
In true multitasking fashion, she also ticked off her Halloween shopping during the same trip – even though her family doesn’t ‘trick or treat’.
‘I caused quite a stir on Facebook the other week by saying that we don’t trick or treat. It’s just something as a family that we decided not to participate in.
‘But I do still like to make it special and I do still make them up some Halloween baskets.’
UK-based Maddy sparked strong reactions on social media after she told her TikTok followers that a casual trip to B&M had turned into a full-blown festive haul – months in advance of holiday season
While she hadn’t originally planned on stocking up for Christmas so early in the year, Maddy felt it was the ‘perfect opportunity’ to get ahead of the crowds that inevitably descend on the high street in November and December
‘So again, B&M was amazing for this. They have so much Halloween stuff in store and I got some great little bits for their baskets.’
By the end of her haul, Maddy had bought goodies for Christmas morning, her Halloween baskets and even Christmas hampers that she puts together every year.
‘So this was the end of my haul. I’ve got pretty much everything for my youngest.
‘I’ve got stuff for my family, my in-laws, and also stuff to make up two Halloween baskets and two Christmas Eve baskets.’
After she posted the clip, several people shared that they’ve started their Christmas shopping as well because it helps with the ‘stress and cost’.
One person said: ‘I’ve started mine too and wrapped them all, I wrap as I go now. I’ll be completely done by firework (Guy Fawkes) night, then we do activities everyday throughout December.’
Someone else added: ‘I cannot wait to start mine when I get paid next week haha! I always start in August and it helps with the stress & cost x’
Another revealed: ‘I started Christmas shopping in June, I don’t have children sadly but I have eight nieces and nephews, two brothers and sister in-laws, mum, dad, and stepdad to buy for lol’
The clip drew mixed reactions from her followers; while some praised the mother for getting ahead of the Christmas rush, others claimed it was too early to even start thinking about the festive season
Others felt that doing one’s Christmas shopping in advance was missing the whole point of holiday season.
‘Part of my Christmas is shuffling through the Christmas crowds. I love the atmosphere. Crazy I know,’ one said.
Another added: ‘People need to slow down and appreciate the season/time we are in, it takes the pleasure out of everything we are way ahead of ourselves all the time it’s sad. Slow down!’
One person pointed out that it was also more practical to buy gifts and things like tree decorations closer to Christmas because ‘things tend to be on offer’.
To which Maddy replied: ‘Not especially in B&M, they always have the two-for-£20 gifts. I’ll probably still get a couple more bits nearer the time.’
It comes after another British mother got ahead of the festive rush by putting up her Christmas decorations.
Janet, who is from the UK, has decided to fully decorate her home for the festive season in August, even putting her Christmas tree up in the living room of her home.
Despite it still being summer, she has filled her home with twinkling lights, winter candles, Christmas cushions, and even has another 5ft Christmas tree in her garden.
With robins by the fireplace, Santa Claus ornaments dotted around the living room and garlands lining the stairs, her house looks like something straight out of a Christmas card.
Janet (pictured), who is from the UK, has decided to fully decorate her home for the festive season in August, even putting her Christmas tree up in the living room of her home
Janet revealed her children were thrilled when the tree came down from the loft, and she teased festive wrapping livestreams in the weeks to come.
Taking to her TikTok account @janet777799, Janet shared the clip, which got over 65,000 views – but some people said putting the decorations up so early was ‘ridiculous’.
She said: ‘It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. She’s up! She’s up. The house is covered in Christmas stuff.
‘I gotta show you how beautiful the tree is. The only thing I wanna change is the star, because I don’t like the star. I want a little fairy up on there.’
Panning around the room, the mother gave her followers a glimpse of the festive room.
She added: ‘Look how freaking cute it is. We’ve even got the winter candles out. We’ve even got the Christmas cushions.
‘Even put a little tree outside. When I say little, it’s about 5 foot, right?
‘It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas! You should have seen how excited the kids were when I was like, Okay, the tree is going up.
Despite it still being summer, she has filled her home with twinkling lights, winter candles, Christmas cushions, and even has another 5ft Christmas tree in her garden
‘You should have seen how quick they ran to the loft. But Janet’s Christmas page is officially back, and we’re gonna be doing some wrapping lives very, very soon.’
‘We’ve been decorating for hours, so I cannot wait to actually sit down and chill. But it looks beautiful. Absolutely stunning.
‘I cannot wait to get the Christmas decorations out for the back garden, because we’ve only got the tree up there at the minute.’
Many rushed to the comments to leave their own thoughts, with some saying it was ‘ridiculous’ to have them up so early.
One person said: ‘Ridiculous, we still haven’t finished summer yet. I’ve seen it all now.’ Another added: ‘Why can’t people just wait for the actual months?’ To which Janet replied: ‘Because we’re not boring.’
Someone else said: ‘This is a joke surely lol’ A fourth added: ‘Why do you put Christmas stuff up in August?’
However, others were jealous of the festive Brit and claimed they would love to put their decorations up early as well.
One person said: ‘Omg I only messaged my friend the other day and said if it’s too early to put the tree up.’
Another added: ‘I can’t wait for Christmas, thank you for bringing it to us early, I love it so much.’
Someone else added: ‘I always put mine up 1st November as I LOVE Christmas! I’m so jealous of you.’
A fourth added: ‘I love it, it’s absolutely gorgeous, it looks so cosy.’
Despite some people’s doubts, Professor Erlanger A. Turner, a clinical psychologist at Pepperdine University, said decorating early can be explained by the ‘anticipation of joy’ theory.
‘By decorating early, people can prolong the sense of excitement and happiness associated with the holiday season,’ he told MailOnline.
‘As people begin to mentally prepare for enjoyable experiences, such as Christmas decorations and celebrations, anticipation of joy helps to boost their mood and well-being.’
