A mother from Derby has put her Christmas tree and decorations up five months early, during a 30-degree heatwave, because she loves the festive season so much. Kelly Jones, 46, says Christmas is her favourite holiday and she was looking for an excuse to decorate early.
Tree up in July
Kelly got the idea to put up her tree during the summer but decorate it for autumn two years ago, in 2024. This year, she decided there was no time like the present and hauled the tree out of storage on July 16, as she was sick of the heat and wanted to create a 'cosy' atmosphere.
The mum-of-three admits her friends and family think she's 'crazy', but her kids love the decorations and say the house looks like Santa's grotto. Kelly has even finished most of her Christmas shopping, claiming she starts preparing in January.
'Cosy Christmas vibes'
The full-time carer said she watches Christmas films and listens to festive songs all year round, and is already planning recipes for the festive break. Kelly, from Derby, Derbyshire, said: "I've always loved Christmas, it's my favourite season of all."
"A couple of years ago I was thinking, 'I wish I could put my tree up early'. Then I got the idea, 'what if I put it up but decorate it for autumn?'. It was a good excuse to get my Christmas tree up."
"I put the Christmas tree up with the lights and decorated the whole room autumn-themed. I've been doing that for a couple of years. I'm so fed up with the heat, I am craving cosy Christmas vibes. I thought, 'I'm going to manifest it and I'm going to get the tree up'."
All-year-round ambition
Kelly goes all out at the end of October when she takes out her entire collection of Christmas decorations. The mum said every room in the house is full of ornaments and lights, including two 6ft-tall nutcrackers.
Kelly said she loves the holiday as it brings the family together and wants to start having her tree up all year round. Kelly said: "It takes me weeks to decorate - every room in the house is done for Christmas."
"My idea for next year is to have it up all year round and theme it around spring and summer, so I never have to take the Christmas tree down. We have lights everywhere, ornaments - everywhere is done up."
"I love the films and the hot chocolate, I love all the bakes and the cosy, homey vibes. I swore that when I had children, I would always do something big at Christmas, it would be my thing."
"It's just nice being with family. I've got older children that don't live at home and for me it's that time that brings us all together."
Kelly posted a video online that has racked up more than 85,000 views, with viewers mesmerised by her decorations. One wrote: "Can I commission you to come decorate my house, I wish mine looked like that." Another commented: "In loooove! I wish my house looked like this all year round." A third added: "Wow this is so beautiful."
