Mixed reactions greet arrival of city's Christmas tree

Two signs of the impending holiday season colder weather and the city's official Christmas tree arrived in Toronto this weekend.

The 15-metre evergreen was raised early Saturday in Nathan Phillips Square and will soon be decked out with some 700 ornaments and more than 3.8 kilometres of lights, or roughly four times the walking distance between Union Station and city hall.

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But there's a growing chorus of people who say the holidays, and the city, should hold off until after Remembrance Day.

"I think really the beginning of November is a little early for Christmas," said Mayona Farrell, who was handing out poppies and collecting donations for the Royal Canadian Legion nearby at the Eaton Centre.

"I know we all shop early but, you know I think we could wait until after the 11th."

The tree also got a mixed reaction online. Many seemed to agree the holidays are getting started too soon.

They're not alone. In Orangeville, Christmas lights are now banned on public property before Remembrance Day.

And though many Toronto stores have switched on their Christmas lights, the tree at Nathan Phillips Square won't be lit up until Nov. 28.