Derry family get in the festive mood by putting up their Christmas tree... at Hallowe’en!

Yesterday, we reported how Lisnagelvin shopping centre in Derry put up its Christmas tree on Tuesday last, the day after Hallowe’en - 55.days before the "big day."

While some have said the move was “too early,” one Derry family believe Christmas can’t come soon enough.

Leigh Hutton, of William Street, loves the festive season so much that she puts her tree up on Halloween.

Leigh started her tradition 10 years ago, after her eldest som, Tiernan was born.

And now her neighbours look forward to seeing it appear every year October 31, over eight weeks before the big day.

“People stop me and ask me when I’m putting it up,” she explained.

“I’ve been doing it since Tiernan was wee.

“The weans get all excited when the tree goes up.

“I love Christmas and I hate Halloween.”

News of Leigh’s early Christmas cheer spread this year when her brother and sister posted pictures of her tree on Facebook.

“Some people say it’s too early but then you get other people saying ‘I wish I had my tree up now too’.

“I nearly didn’t get it up on time this year because I was getting my living room decorated.

“I had to say to the painter I need the room finished by Halloween so I can get my tree up.”

But her festive traditions don’t stop with the tree.

“I love putting on all the Christmas films and every morning I play the Michael Bublé Christmas album before the weans go to school,” she revealed..

With her tree going up eight weeks before Christmas you might think Leigh would take it down on St Stephen’s Day – not a chance!

“Not at all, I don’t take it down until January 6,” she laughed.

Photo shows six-year-old Carley helping to put up the Christmas decoration.