Christmas opened at Greatest Christmas Award winning Summerhill Garden Centre in Essex on Saturday 26th August.
On facebook they reported fantastic fundraising festivities!
"WOW! What a fantastic response we've had from everyone today at the launch of our 2017 Christmas department!
"We've had a visit from Santa Claus today, who proved to be a huge hit with both kids and adults alike. He'll be at a number of fundraising events hosted by St Lukes Hospice, as they have a direct hotline to the North Pole.
"The team have done a fantastic job raising money for the hospice and will continue to do so throughout the weekend - we'll have an update on the figures you've helped them raise next week!
"Don't forget, our product lines in the Christmas department are constantly changing and growing - so if you don't see something that tickles your fancy now, don't fret! It may be being prepared behind the scenes, so be sure to check back regularly!
"We'll be here all weekend and are open on Bank Holiday Monday from 9am to 5.30pm! So come down to the centre and get your festive freak on!
Is this the first and only garden centre to open Christmas for the August Bank Holiday weekend? Send us pictures of your Christmas department if it has also opened this weekend: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk