Target already selling Christmas trees to ‘ease pressure’ during holiday season

A popular store has defended selling Christmas trees in five months before the holiday, saying more is coming. Is it too soon?

A popular store has defended selling Christmas trees in five months before the holiday, saying it plans to stock more shelves soon.

Festive trees were spotted by a shopper at the Ballarat Target in August, bringing a new (Australian) meaning to the holiday songs Baby, It’s Cold Outside and Let It Snow.

But Target general merchandise general manager Nicole Szujda said the company was trying to ease the stress of the Christmas period for shoppers.

“Research has shown that customers have bought one third of their Christmas gifts before October, and this year with the added pressure on families, we want to ensure that our customers can find the gifts they’ll love for everyone on their list, at really great value,” she said.

“Year on year we are seeing customer interest for Christmas products early, in particular for our Christmas trees and decor.”

Ms Szujda said the trees were only the beginning, despite 74 per cent of respondents in a Herald Sun poll saying August was too early for Christmas trees to be on sale.

“Our first drop of Christmas products included a range of Christmas trees, and we look forward to dropping more products soon including our decorations and gifting guides,” she said.

Last year it is estimated the average Australian spent almost $900 on Christmas.

Gifts are the biggest money grabbers at Christmas time, followed by travel, food and drink.

Last year there were concerns Aussies could miss out on a Christmas tree amind huge supply chain issues. Demand for real trees has also soared in previous years.

There is always a debate on when you should put up your Christmas tree, with those who act too early being called ‘tacky; and those who wait too long being labelled a ‘grinch’.

But when is it too early to be putting up Christmas decorations in stores? Vote in our poll.