The Christmas/Holiday season starts earlier and earlier every single year

[Kievan Rus]

Is it just me, or is the whole Christmas/Holiday rush starting really, really early this year? While I've recalled there being a couple Christmas ads by this time of the year in the past, I don't think I've ever seen as much so early before.

It's not uncommon to get Christmas banner ads on the Internet alraedy. There were tons of Christmas ads in the Sunday paper yesterday. I was shocked at the volume of Christmas/holiday-themed commercials during the Steelers/Broncos Monday Night Football game tonight, when the holiday is still seven weeks away; and I actually saw my first Christmas ad all the way back in August. I've already seen houses with Christmas decorations up already. Stores have had Christmas stuff out for weeks.

I'm only in my mid-twenties, so I've kind of gotten used to the full-on bombardment by at least Thanksgiving, but it's coming even earlier this year. I know it's been coming earlier and earlier every year, but am I not alone in thinking it's never been this early before?

The sad thing is, I actually enjoy the Christmas/Holiday season for what it's really supposed to be about...family, friends, cheerfulness, charity, and for Christians, Jews, and in some years Muslims, religious observances. But the crass materialism and consumerism of the Holidays just drives me nuts...especially in its overkill. I don't mind the commercialization of other holidays, because it's not as crass and not as pervasive. By this time a month from now, you'll be hard-pressed to watch any television program that has commercials in it and see fewer than three Christmas ads urging you to buy something in every ad block. Like just about anything else anymore, it's all about stuff...and it's unfortunate.

[Louisiana1976]

1. Agree--the way this is going, before we know it we'll start seeing....

Christmas stuff right after Easter. It's too early now--and I enjoy the Christmas season too.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Would you like SALES? I went to Michaels today to pick up

some cheap brushes... they already had some of the Christmas merchandise on sale.

[murielm99]

3. I was driving through our county seat Saturday afternoon.

A big old Santa Claus was on the corner by the coliseum waving to all the passing traffic.

I just had to laugh. It was seventy degrees here in Northern Illinois. How can anyone be in the mood for Santa at this point?

[REP]

4. Fine with me; I've got to mail stuff to my family

Lots to do and not a lot of time. I need the reminders. I try to get everything mailed a few days after Thanksgiving (my wrapped packages are a big part of my brother's holiday decorating).

[stopbush]

5. It's just you. Xmas has been starting in October for a long, long time.

Our local malls waited until this past week to put up Xmas. That's actually later than it's been in past years.

Why should the commercial aspect of Xmas be treated any differently by advertisers? They're already running commercials for movies that will be released on Xmas Day. They're already running commercials for the Winter Olympics which start in, what, March? Seven weeks of ads for the biggest shopping season of the year seems about right to me, at least when compared to everything else.

I'm fine with an extended Xmas holiday season, even if it is purely commercial. The carping about it "starting earlier each year" is a canard that doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

Methinks some people just like to complain each year. Maybe THAT'S what's actually staring earlier and earlier - the complaining!

[DrDan]

6. it's ridiculous - SAMs had Christmas trees out last week

[eShirl]

7. The drugstore I worked in back in the 80s brought Christmas stuff out in late September.

Halloween wasn't as big as it is now, I guess.

[JANdad]

8. Uh no...

I think retailers are actually waiting longer than before...

[Historic NY]

9. Hey the Home Despot was putting out Xmas stuff the end of Aug...I bought lights.

[SIMPLYB1980]

10. Let it begin.

[KittyWampus]

14. did YOU do that> it's great

[SIMPLYB1980]

15. Unfortunately no I stole that from somewhere years ago.

Probably here, but I'm not sure.

[LibertyLover]

11. You aren't alone. I was in Macys on Sunday

and the store had Christmas decorations up already. I was too busy searching for something to wear to my stepdaughter's wedding to pay much attention until my 7 year old daughter said "Look mommy - Christmas trees." Sure enough, she was right - there were decorated and lighted Christmas trees and red ribbons around the store. My husband has already started buying presents for our daughter and himself so that we have them and our budget doesn't take such a huge hit all at once. It used to be that Christmas wasn't mentioned until after Thanksgiving, but in recent years it's getting pushed back earlier and earlier. I got a catalog or two in August that exhorted me to 'buy now for the holidays!'.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

12. Actually, It's Been Starting In Sept/Oct For Years Now.

At least in the northeast.

[ThatsMyBarack]

13. For some people....

Christmas is all year round. Like for people who grow Christmas trees and stuff.

[KittyWampus]

16. You've never worked retail? Decorating & stocking shelves w/seasonal items takes a lot of time.

And you want everything done before Thanksgiving.

All the items on the shelves from summer and fall need to be packed away, all the christmas items need to be packed out and priced and displayed.

Then there is the actual decoration of the store with wreaths etc.

So you have to start at LEAST three weeks before Thanksgiving.

I witnessed not one, not two but THREE small family businesses that did Christmas shops for the winter season go under last year. Pool stores that did Christmas. It's so sad. I miss them.

[TommyO]

17. I've already griped in the lounge about a radio station playing 24-hr Christmas music

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=9116437&mesg_id=9116437

I love Christmas, and I understand why retail has to get an early start, but 24-hr Christmas music on November 9th?