I saw the stuff at Home Depot and Lowes over a week ago. ARGH! but at least, no Christmas music on the radio yet.

Moni

I think this has been happening over the past several years. I agree it is early and would like to be able to at least get through October at least before thinking about Christmas. I do have to shop early this year as I am traveling the first two weeks of December. I also have to shop for three December Bdays so maybe seeing the decorations will get me into the mood.

They took the summer flowers in and put out autumn flowers in September and moved all the yard materials out from the front of the store too. Closed the gates to the gardening materials in the morning on Saturdays! Summer wasn't done and I was still working in the yard until this week. Too soon to replace all the stuff I needed (luckily not chairs) with Christmas stuff. Mid-September, but still, September. Ugh! Slow down retail!

Well, it figures, we didn’t have a fall weather wise and now we don’t have a fall shopping wise either. I love going to the stores and seeing all the fall / harvest decor.

I wish people wouldn’t jump in and start buying stuff this early, maybe the retailers will get the hint and allow us to really savor and enjoy each holiday as they come.

It's just easier for them to do it early. I honestly do not think they are getting more sales because of it.

I have my own schedule for when I want to deal with things, and I don't let it annoy me.

I see it in the stores already too. It turns me off for Christmas shopping. It makes the Holiday so jaded and commercial. It is offensive to see in October.

I used to love Christmas. Now it is a struggle to push all that out and "keep it very well" in my own home.

I can tell you that part of the reason retailers have Christmas out so early is that the seasonal shelf spaces are getting empty and they need to keep those spaces filled! An old boss of mine would say, “We are not selling peg board and empty shelves!”

That’s why New Years, Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s and some Easter will be out before Christmas! Just saying!

Just to clarify, I don't mind it out as much as I mind the season dying too soon. I remember trying to buy my son a coat in February (he lost it. you know how kids are) and there was none to be found! If they didn't take stuff off the shelves that was still in season, it might not be so bad. For me, at least.

By the time Christmas actually gets here, the stores will have their spring stuff out... grrrr.

Retail Christmas displays are a huge turn-off for me regardless of when they appear! I just do not appreciate the focused commercialization of that holiday and how it takes over and is so in-your-face. So I avoid much shopping from now on until the end of the year so I don't have to deal with it. And I stay far away from anything resembling a mall :-))

Retailers are smart enough to sell early since decorations are usually up a month prior to Christmas. Otherwise, they'll be having closeout sales for far less profits.

Makes sense to a business.

... and you folks haven't even had Thanksgiving yet!! (Ours was a couple of weeks ago).

When I see Christmas stuff out at this time of year, I may visit customer service desk, maybe ask to speak to the manager, but tell them that, as I'm disgusted with their Christmas stuff being out this early ... I'm leaving now.

And may be back some time later ... maybe not.

ole joyful

once a holiday is over they have to fill the spot with the next holiday. I have to do the same at my job. Just the way it is.

I guess I'm the outlier here, but I love seeing Christmas in the stores. I'm always ready to think about Christmas and the sooner my shopping is finished, the sooner I can relax and concentrate on the joys of the holiday season...family, friends, shared meals and other holiday-related activities. Perhaps it's because November and December were always my busiest times at work, so I had very little time to spend in the shops during those months or perhaps it's because we always spend Christmas with my parents in another state, so our celebrations with local friends take place in early December, plus everything for family has to be shipped which requires significant lead time.

Since I lost everything I had I have been buying to replace my Christmas tree and a few decorations. Not doing much but I do want to put up a tree in the new house. Several stores already have discounts like hobby lobby.

Yep, Halloween and Christmas stuff out at the same time at my local Wal-Mart.

they were putting out Christmas stuff here a week or so ago.

I'm not buying this year - except for my sister, and books to be shipped to the gkids by Amazon. I'm sending each of my kids a gift card for a dinner out or in with the gkids - whatever makes their holiday easier for them.

The local Honda dealer has a beautiful Odyssey displayed on an elevated stage, wrapped in ribbons and bows. Which proves if you want to compete with Christmas sales, you have to show off your stuff, even if it is a best seller.

DD and I walked through the Walmart garden center about a month ago and they were getting prepped for all the Christmas stuff. For some reason it seems even earlier to me than usual.

I think one of the strongest memories I will have of DD's childhood is of stopping by the mall on Halloween for the events that they do there. We would always walk through the Sears store, and the door we would enter through was right next to their Christmas tree display. It always feels like a strange contrast to have all the little kids in their costumes next to all the Christmas trees :^)

I just thought of something. I wonder if it's easier on people who rely on buying on lay-away to shop early? By December they would have enough saved to pay for it all. I know, ideally one should save UNTIL December and buy and pay for it all then, but choices may be few.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. LOL

oh no, February is bathing suits, beach towels and paddle boards ;-)

My closest big box store has had the Christmas products out for a month already. I dislike it. It feels to me that Thanksgiving is increasingly ignored; not just by retailers (which makes sense, not much to sell for Thanksgiving although there could be more) but by our society in general. It is only about dinner and football games?

My nieces and nephew were much involved in their sports, and never came to the family Thanksgiving because they always had travel games which took priority. Likewise, games scheduled for Sunday mornings. I don't understand why sports leagues don't respect Thanksgiving, at least, a part of the American cultural heritage (yeah, yeah, I understand the criticisms, myth vs. reality etc BUT shared cultural traditions are important as well...)

its been out here since early october.... king of prussia mall is already decorated, outside at least, since last week! sigh.... its the way its been for some years now.

i don't like that stores are open on THANKSGIVING DAY promoting Christmas sales. can we not enjoy ONE DAY w/o being bombarded and taking time away from out families? i don't mind as much with stores opening Thanksgiving night into Black Friday....thats crazy too but doesn't sting as bad as Thansksgiving Day.