Christmas trees spring up in Melbourne ahead of retail reopening

Is it too early to be putting up Christmas decorations – Melburnians out for their first day at the shops post-lockdown might be asking themselves just that.

The city is already getting into the swing of the festive season, as the Victorian government prepares to further ease Covid-19 restrictions on Friday.

Christmas trees had sprung up around central Melbourne on Thursday, the day before retail stores reopen, when the state hits its 80 per cent double dose vaccination target.

There were still three days to go until Halloween, but Christmas had secured the prime decoration real estate spot on Bourke and Elizabeth Sts.

When it comes to putting up a tree, some traditionalists will tell you any earlier than December 1 is simply too soon.

Others – like the City of Melbourne – say the only rule is that there are no rules, especially after 262 cumulative days in lockdown.