<p>I went to buy Halloween trinkets the week before Halloween. There were tons of Christmas mugs, placements, table runners, decoration, etc…and not ONE Halloween trinket. Plenty of candy…but no “stuff”. Bleh.</p>
<p>Between yesterday and today, I received <em>11</em> catalogues in the mail. At least it’s November, I remember one year I got a Christmas catalogue in late August.</p>
<p>Actually, I was just starting to think I need to get moving with this stuff. I’d like to get as much done ahead of time so I can actually <em>enjoy</em> the season. It never happens, though…</p>
<p>This morning I was surprised to hear one of my radio stations had already gone to Christmas music. I thought they used to do that starting on Thanksgiving!</p>
<p>I went clothes shopping 1-2 weeks ago for my younger son. Frankly, I was shocked at the heavily discounted prices. I found beautiful quality winter clothes at “after Christmas” prices in October!</p>
<p>DH has a strict rule against any Christmas stuff until the day after Thanksgiving–we even have to mute the tv during Christmas ads!!! I don’t think we’re any earlier this year than other years…but it IS early!!</p>
<p>We also have a local radio station playing Christmas music. It starts the day after Halloween. Supposedly it gets great ratings … no thanks to ME!!! I won’t listen this early. Not to mention that this station plays “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” about once an hour. YUCK.</p>
<p>I noticed a giant plastic Santa in his sleigh atop a house decorated with lights on the next street this morning. I guess a few people took advantage of the unseasonably warm days last week to put up their decorations … but it’s just ridiculously early. I keep my pumpkins/hay bales/cornstalks out until Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>I will be sick of Christmas before it’s even here. Did I just say that??!! I think I’ll ignore it all until after Thanksgiving. I don’t want to lose the beauty of the season.</p>
<p>I’m showing my age/am old fashioned when I think the Christmas retail season should start after Thanksgiving. The only exception is the local Fleet Farm always opening its toy section in mid October- just in time to birthday shop for son when he was of the toy age (they move the lawn and garden stuff, what is left, and keep a high opaque paper barrier around the whole area- big secret while they stock it). They were hanging the decorations at the local Kohls stores this week. Since it takes time to get ready for the post Thanksgiving season I don’t object to seeing things begin to happen this month, but in October, before Halloween is way too soon. </p>
<p>I also don’t understand how people can do their Christmas present shopping so far in advance of the season- a gift is not a necessity and should fit the moment, not be an obligation thought about months in advance- and what if I see something better in December… We don’t do the religion and have mostly stopped the gift giving now that son has grown up. I much prefer getting things when we want them and the price is good instead of buying them and saving them for months. Maybe it was all those years of unwrapping underwear, etc on Christmas Eve… I also cringe at the people of modest means who feel they have to give gifts to every extended family member- so much money is wasted on cheap junk instead of pooling resources or picking a name to give a gift the recipient or giver couldn’t otherwise get. I also cringe at the debts people run up in buying Christmas presents, especially the luxuries (not needed items) they can’t afford.</p>
<p>I have just started putting out the Christmas stuff in my shop. We started receiving it in September and have kept it boxed until now. The problem for <em>this</em> small retailer is that we have no storage. There is no “back” and no basement and no second floor. The storage area is my car trunk! Or my garage at home – meaning I have to do all the handling.</p>
<p>In my industry, we have to either pay COD or credit card for all merchandise. We’re not Macy*s who gets 120 day dating (i.e. 4 months to pay after the stuff ships or shows up). If you don’t order it early, you won’t get it in time, if at all. </p>
<p>So today – and for the next few weeks – as you walk in the door, we have the fall football doggie sweaters to the left. And the Christmas dog bowls, Made in America Christmas toy Collection, and some impulse buy Christmas displays on the right. After Thanksgving I will rework the doggie sweaters to a more winter theme.</p>
<p>lol at “Santa message approval!”</p>
<p>I haven’t noticed if the decorations going up in retail stores earlier than usual this year. They always seem to go up too early, I think.
I have noticed the promotion of an oldy but goody :
LAYAWAY !!</p>
<p>Funny, but I have been shopping earlier this year, but not because of ads and tinsel.</p>
<p>I like Christmas lights. I like Christmas music. I like Christmas decorations.</p>
<p>Okay folks–BRING IT ON!!</p>
<p>My sister-in-law is a corporate buyer for Tilly’s and always jokes about the earliness of the holiday season not being that early…she started “Christmas” shopping in August.</p>