<P> In the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, the Christmas shopping season starts from mid-November, around the time when high street Christmas lights are turned on . In the UK in 2010, up to £ 8 billion was expected to be spent online at Christmas, approximately a quarter of total retail festive sales . Retailers in the UK call Christmas the "golden quarter", that is, the three months of October to December is the quarter of the year in which the retail industry hopes to make the most money . In Ireland, around early December or late November each year, The Late Late Toy Show is broadcast on Irish television, which features all the popular toys throughout the year being demonstrated and showcased before the holiday season and shopping sprees commence . </P> <P> The Netherlands and Belgium have a double holiday . The first one, the arrival of the Bishop Saint Nicholas and Black Peter, starts about mid November, with presents being given on December 5 or 6 . This is a separate holiday from Christmas, Bishop Saint Nick (Sinterklaas) and Santa Claus (Kerstman) being different people . Netherlands and Belgium often do not start the Christmas season until December 6 or 7, i.e. after Sinterklaas has finished . </P> <P> In France, the January sales are restricted by legislation to no more than four weeks in Paris, and no more than six weeks for the rest of the country, usually beginning on the first Wednesday in January, and are one of only two periods of the year when retailers are permitted to hold sales . </P> <P> In Italy, the January sales begin on the first weekend in January, and last for at least six weeks . </P>

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