Christmas tree appears in town centre more than 100 days early

Nothing gets people more into the Christmas spirit quite like one of the hottest days of August.

A festive fir popped in Bromley, south-east London earlier this week when temperatures nearly reached 30°C.

Shoppers and passersby were left scratching their heads – December 25 is 117 days away.

The tree is at the top of the town’s high street outside a large Primark store.

One shopper observed: ‘What’s that doing up this time of year? It’s so early.’

Christmas, alas, hasn’t quite come early.

The council said the tree is there as a prop for filming being done for a star-studded movie.

Scenes for Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, were shot yesterday, according to The Telegraph. More scenes are being filmed today.

Pillion is a queer romance film which will see Skarsgård play Ray, the aggressively handsome leader of a motorcycle gang, pluck Melling’s Colin from his dull suburban life and into a world of LGBTQ kinky bikers.

It’ll be an instant Christmas classic, no doubt.

But Bromley isn’t the only place baffled by an early onslaught of Christmas decor.

Harrods, the luxury London department store, has decked its halls with holly months before the festive season actually begins. Bare trees will set someone back £1,429, while a decorated one is £3,000.

Harrods isn’t alone. Supermarket Morrisons has stocked some its shelves with chocolate Santas and Christmas-themed chocolate boxes.

‘We start selling mince pies a few months before Christmas because our customers tell us they really enjoy them,’ a spokesperson said.

‘We know that lots of our customers are already enjoying our Christmas range. While others are stocking up now to help spread the cost of Christmas.’

As psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur previously told Metro.co.uk, the main reason supermarkets prematurely put festive goods on sale is to encourage shoppers to consume more.

‘Shops will often strategically introduce seasonal items well in advance of the actual holiday or event to create a sense of anticipation and excitement that can prompt early purchases,’ Kamalyn explained.

‘Seeing products displayed now can serve as a visual or subconscious reminder of the event, which can encourage people to start planning their Christmas celebrations well in advance.’

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