While the rest of us are enjoying the 'grand stretch' of the summer evenings, many businesses are engaged in behind-the-scenes Christmas prep.

Stock has to be ordered, currencies locked in, lights to be ordered and baubles to be sorted.

Newstalk reporter, Aideen Finnegan, speaks to three businesses about this secret world.

Richard Guiney from Dublin Town says they start buying lights for the city's streets in March.

Gerard Appleby of Appleby Jewellers in Dublin reveals they begin designing engagement rings for Christmas in May.

Husband and wife team Lorraine and Alan McGuirk direct the Santa House Express in Co. Kildare.

'At the beginning of February every year we head to the Christmas World expo in Frankfurt. If you can imagine an area four times the size of Croke Park full of decorations and accessories, you'll soon find out if you like Christmas.'