Christmas comes early to London's top stores

MANILA, Philippines - It’s the height of the British summer, but inside London’s top department stores, a winter wonderland has been unveiled for visitors who just can’t wait until Christmas.

Harrods and Selfridges launched their Christmas decoration sales on July 28, the earliest ever with an impressive 149 days to go until Dec. 25, while Hamleys announced its predictions for the top Christmas toys one month ago.

In a nod to the seasonal absurdity, customers at Harrods, in upmarket Knightsbridge, were treated to the “12 ice creams of Christmas”, with flavors including Christmas pudding with brandy butter, mulled wine and even Brussels sprouts.

Foreign families on holiday in Britain, many dressed in shorts and t-shirts and sporting sunglasses, walked around slightly bemused as “Let it Snow” and other festive tunes were piped across the store’s “Christmas World”.

“We were just passing by and were astonished to see it at this time of year,” said Marien Lydi, 47, a tourist from Belgium, as she surveyed the snow-covered Christmas trees and piles of baubles.