Belfast family's home decked out for Christmas in September

It may only be approaching the start of October, but for one West Belfast family, Christmas always comes early and this year is no exception.

We might still be a few weeks away from Halloween but for Mary Crooks and her family, the countdown to Christmas always starts in September. For them it's the most wonderful time of the year already and their tree is already taking pride of place in the living room at Valleyside Close.

Mary is known to her neighbours as 'Mary Christmas' as she spreads the festive cheer early every year. It's all thanks to her long-standing tradition of decorating her Springfield Road home from top to bottom in Christmas decorations – including bright lights, illuminated snowmen and dozens of inflatable Santas passed down generations for Mary's children and now her grandchildren to enjoy.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Mary's daughter Sammy-Jo Crooks said: "My mummy started off with a Christmas tree and a Santa but it has just built it up over the years. She has been doing it since when we were kids and just keeps adding to it every year but it's bigger now with the grandkids around.

"We lost our daddy three years ago and Christmas was never the same for her. She didn't want the tree put up in 2022 after losing my daddy suddenly on December 5 that year. But when she went out with family one day before Christmas that year, I got all the stuff out and started putting it all up. Daddy wouldn't want it not up.

"This year mummy started decorating the house last Friday but she won't be finished until the end of October. It's always a big attraction for the neighbours and the grandkids and everyone. People were actually texting me and saying 'you're late this year' and 'where's your mommy's decorations but it always starts around this time of year."

You can see the festive decorations and what we think is Belfast's first Christmas tree for 2025, in our photo gallery below!