With carols? Once a year is bad enough. This idea that we're missing out because we don't have a white Christmas here is bullshit. Santa loves us no matter where we live.
I didn't hear carols. Just saw decorated trees and I thought that was OTT. I thought the whole idea came from 'it's still a ways to go to Christmas and there are no public holidays so let's celebrate anyways'
I thought it was a semi celebration but more of a fun but unoriginal themed idea to raise money for a charity. Like, having a staff dinner etc. Maybe that's not the genesis but I'm sure it was used thus.