It may have been 30 degrees on the grounds, but Wimbledon fans clearly had one eye on December.The All England Club's new Christmas collection has proved an unexpected smash hit after shoppers rushed to snap up its set of three Wimbledon-themed baubles – with the decorations selling out in the shop before the finals weekend.The festive trio, which sell for £40, disappeared from shelves at the start of week two, forcing Wimbledon to temporarily pull the baubles from its online store to make sure there was enough stock for visitors inside the grounds over the closing weekend.While strawberries and cream were melting in the summer sunshine, plenty of tennis fans were already planning where the latest addition to their Christmas tree would hang.The official range includes trophy-shaped baubles, cross-racket tree ornaments, stockings, mugs, tea towels and sterling silver racket keyrings, all given a festive Wimbledon twist.Other decorations, including the tournament's bestselling felt strawberry and tennis ball ornaments, are still available for £10.For some shoppers, buying Christmas decorations in July was perfectly normal.Cliona Orr, 23 who was with her mother Mags, 50, from Derry, laughed: 'I love Christmas. It's only 166 days to go and I'm ready. We put our tree up at the end of November and you can never have too many decorations.'I think Christmas should be a year-round thing. It's nearly Christmas in July anyway.' The All England Club's new Christmas collection has proved an unexpected smash hit after shoppers rushed to snap up its set of three Wimbledon-themed baubles Cliona Orr, 23 (right) who was with her mother Mags, 50, (left) from Derry, laughed: 'I love Christmas. It's only 166 days to go and I'm readyMichelle Stead, 61, from Warwickshire, picked up the decorations as a keepsake from this year's Championships.'It's a memento for the year - fond memories,' she said. 'They're lovely. They're very representative of Wimbledon. We like the fact they're small and understated.'Whereas for Ruth Kolish, 61, from Marlborough, Wiltshire, with her daughter, Fenella, 22, it was a way for their family to stay connected when they were all on opposite sides of the world at Christmas. Ruth said: 'My children are 22 and 21 and every year they get to choose a Christmas bauble.''My son works on a super yacht in Corsica, my daughter's going to Australia, and we're thinking shall we buy a set of three - ladies trophy [for my daughter], men's trophy [for my son] and I can have the third.'Others admitted the festive display caught them completely by surprise.'It's unusual to see Christmas things in the middle of July when we're all baking,' said Kirsty Landragin, 54, from Cornwall.'But it gives you a bit of Wimbledon in the winter.'Megyn Carpenter, 33, from South Wales, added: 'I just noticed the stocking. It looked nice. I didn't think they'd do Christmas stuff.'It's normal now to sell Christmas presents in July. I think it's good to have the variety.'For Sara Booth-Card, 42, from Hatfield, Doncaster, Christmas decorations have become the ultimate holiday souvenir.'My mum collects Christmas tree decorations, so wherever we go we buy her one,' she said.'We've got them from Mexico, my sister's bought one from Florida - literally anywhere. We actually bought one in Mexico in March.' The festive trio, which sell for £40, disappeared from shelves at the start of week two, forcing Wimbledon to temporarily pull the baubles from its online store to make sure there was enough stock for visitors inside the grounds For Ruth Kolish, 61, (right) from Marlborough, Wiltshire, with her daughter, Fenella, 22, (left) it was a way for their family to stay connected when they were all on opposite sides of the world at Christmas You can also buy stockings, Christmas sacks, decorative tea towels and mugs from the Wimbledon shop and onlineShe admitted she would have preferred Wimbledon to sell the baubles individually rather than in a set of three, joking: 'She's running out of space on the tree, so three's pushing it.'Not everyone, however, was quite ready to swap strawberries for stockings.Kay S, from Shropshire, confessed the festive display had the opposite effect.'This drew me in,' she said, pointing at one of the mugs. 'But when I saw it was Christmas, it repelled me. I call it the 'C-word'. It's 30 degrees in July!'Still, judging by the empty shelves where the baubles once sat, she appears to be in the minority.AELTC have been approached for comment.
Wimbledon fans get ready for CHRISTMAS as shop sells out of baubles
The All England Club's new Christmas collection has proved an unexpected smash hit after shoppers rushed to snap up its set of three Wimbledon-themed baubles.











