We all know that Christmas decorations, lights and big inflatable snow men are going to appear almost everywhere in a couple of weeks but Chessington Garden Centre is known for the early arrival of the coveted Christmas spirit. This year, October was the chosen month to begin the festive season. Before walking into Chessington Garden Centre, all I needed was a goldfish for our rather empty tank but on leaving, I wanted that little plastic fire place with named stockings.

The first room of the centre is normally full of bulbs and indoor plants but the array of lights, Christmas trees and gifts is what greeted me on a hot October day (one which felt like summer). The lights on the ceiling and draping the walls were quite incredible, as were the many dancing Santas and flashing red noses. However, this wonderful Christmas display is one that can be debated.

Since the arrival of our Father Christmas (a red suited fellow who eats mince pies and exclaims, ‘Ho Ho Ho!’), Christmas is a commercial event that sees presents, flashing lights and snow machines overtaking the real meaning of the holiday which is the birth of the Christian Messiah, Jesus. There was still some evidence of Christian belief at CGC but Santa Claus seemed to draw more attention than Jesus Christ. I suppose that this is no surprise seeming as today, only 33% of the world is Christian, but it is sad to see the tradition slowly fading.

So, do you think that Chessington Garden Centre’s lights are a good thing or a bad thing? Is your Christmas too commercialised? Maybe it’s time to see the donkey go, and be replaced by reindeer? I will leave it for you to decide.