FESTIVE cheer is slowly beginning to creep through the streets of our towns and villages in the form of glittering lights, tinsel-clad windows and Christmas musical classics flowing from the speakers of our favourite stores.

The familiar sight of red and gold sparkle popping up sporadically in stores and cafes, coupled with the bitter chill descending as November wears on, is enough to make most people want to cosy up with a hot chocolate and indulge in the Christmas spirit.

Cafes have welcomed back their Christmas themed drinks, and in the case of Costa, festive music has accompanied their return, meaning as soon as you step through the door the sensation of being in a winter wonderland hits, despite it only being mid-November.

Manager of Costa’s Hexham branch, Annette Cuthbertson, said the store launched its Christmas menu and began playing music last Thursday.

She said: “I like the Christmas theme; it’s nice to get in the spirit. We’ve had the odd comment where someone will say it’s too early, but the majority are glad to see the festive menu back and are giving good comments.”

Is it possible that the festive music encourages customers to treat themselves to a special Christmas drink? “It probably does,” said Annette. “It gets people in the mood for Christmas.”

But while even a three-month long Christmas wouldn’t be too much for some festive enthusiasts, others haven’t taken too kindly to the appearance of Christmas in November.

During a morning out shopping in Hexham, Judith Taylor (84), from Humshaugh, said: “A week before is quite enough. The music last year was of terrible quality and it’s not something you want to be hearing when you are out shopping.

“At times I have asked a shop to turn it off or turn it down. With decorations, there are never cribs or anything traditional anymore. It’s all Santa and reindeers, which is not what Christmas is all about.”

And Judith isn’t alone. While many of the big stores in Hexham have launched into Christmas already, with the White Stuff and Beales being examples, some smaller businesses refuse to get on board quite so early.

Debra Donnelly, owner of Hands on Beauty & Holistic Therapy in Hexham, said: “When December 1 comes I will have lots of decorations and go all out, but it will be done in a very traditional way.

“We sell gifts and things but the old tradition was the idea of 12 days of Christmas, so November is far too early for decoration and I have great principles and a moral standing when it comes to that. We want to feel like any purchases a customer makes are done in very holistic way in a nourishing environment, without exploiting the meaning of Christmas to sell things.”

And Eddie Pearson, from Hexham, agrees that the early arrival of Christmas encourages more buying. He said: “I would say around three weeks before is acceptable to have the decorations and music on.

“But they start far too sharp and it’s just a way to encourage parents to buy more than they need to, when kids have enough toys as it is.”

Hexham resident Ashley Norman (33) said: “The end of November is a good time to start with music and decorations, but now is a bit too early.

“People need to be saving for Christmas at this time but all of this makes them want to spend money when they should be saving.”

But standing outside a Christmas themed window of Costa in Hexham, local resident Rebecca Bradbury said she doesn’t mind the early festivities. “People are already thinking about Christmas around now, so the window displays help to give you inspiration for what to buy,” she said.

“October is a bit early, but come November you need to think about Christmas in order to get your shopping done so I find it helpful to have things on display.

“I can understand why people find Christmas music annoying, but personally it doesn’t put me off.”

Whether you are embracing the season early or stand in opposition to a drawn-out Christmas, the signs of Christmas approaching are only going to increase over the coming weeks.

Christmas light switch-ons take place towards the end of the month, with Hexham and Prudhoe lighting up on November 25, and the streets will become filled with even more Christmas cheer.