Thursday, November 20, 2008
Who Took Thanksgiving Off the Table?
Christmas Lights
Is it my imagination, or are we rushing the Christmas thing just a bit more than usual this year?
I first noticed it the day before Halloween, when I visited a local nursery to find some pumpkins and gourds… and they were gone. Everyone who was working there was too busy to stop and ask me what I was searching for. They were all unpacking cartons and decorating Christmas trees …. on October 30.
A few evenings later I was driving a car full of people just as dusk was settling in and a misty drizzle fell. Of necessity I was so focused on the road that I traveled several blocks into town before I realized WHY the streets were so darn BRIGHT, even on this rainy night. Englewood was all decked out in its twinkling Christmas lights… on November 5.
Last night, as I once again joined the ranks of the slack-jawed in front of the TV, I couldn’t help but notice the ads for The Radio City Christmas Show, along with jewelry and toy stores. It was then that I realized I’ve already heard the ads so many times I can recite them word-for-word…on November 20.
And yet, nary a word about Thanksgiving, little more than a week away.
Are retailers so worried we slacker consumers won’t spend enough to keep them afloat that they must rush us past Thanksgiving, a thoughtful and relatively non-commercial, family-centered holiday, to get to the real prize — the Christmas Shopping Season?
Dee said,
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 6:40 pm
We seem to start “celebrating” Christmas earlier and earlier each year complements of the merchants in our area. This year, I actually saw Christmas items in the stores well before Halloween!
Jim said,
Sunday, November 30, 2008 at 10:52 am
Hey. This struck a cord with me. I was walking through Walmart in our small military town JUST before Halloween and as I walked through the Halloween costumes, I was serenaded by Christmas music. Hummm.
Linda said,
Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Ok, so it’s not just me noticing the rush-the-season phenomenon!!! I was amazed (more like outraged) to see a nursery putting up their giant Xmas tree and Santa on top of their building on Oct 31.
I can’t tell if it’s a reaction to the economy as in an attempt to put people in a happier state of mind or trying to draw out the selling season since retail sales will certainly be down this year.
I refuse to put up one decoration until Dec. 1. Anyone want to join me on that pledge?
Elzy said,
Friday, November 21, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I just walked through Nordstrom in White Plains, which had signs displayed saying the store wouldn’t decorate for Christmas till after Thanksgiving, so we could all focus on one holiday at a time. Sounds good to me.
On the other hand, Home Depot was playing Christmas tunes in mid-October when I was shopping for bulbs. I bought fewer bulbs than I’d intended, since the bad canned “music” put me in the “Get me the %&$#!!! out of here” frame of mind.