ONE OF LONDON’S most iconic department stores has announced it will begin its Christmas shopping season on 2 August.

Selfridges on Oxford Street will launch its Christmas season a full 145 days before the holiday, offering hyper-organised shoppers the chance to buy their Christmas trees earlier than ever before.

Shoppers will also be able to buy crackers, fairy lights, or – weirdly – a £500 (€591) life-size donkey.

The shop defended the move, saying it opened its Christmas section on August 8 last year and sold more than 1,000 baubles in the first week – proving a summer demand for the goods.

This year shoppers will be able to paint their own baubles.

The buying manager for the Selfridges Christmas Shop, Geraldine James, told the BBC she could see a time where a Christmas collection would be offered throughout the year.

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Christmas shopping now begins on August 2

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.