November 30th, 2008 by john 
in Categories: 
Is it just me or is anyone else bothered by the fact that we can’t enjoy one family holiday without the next one in line being shoved down our throats? Every year the holiday merchandise is rolled out earlier and earlier. Of course this is not a new development, it’s been going on for some time. But it sure seems that retailers have stepped up the pace in the last few years. It’s as if they are in a race to see who can irritate consumers the most. AND I for one am irritated!
I was in a big box retailer back at the beginning of October and noticed that the Halloween merchandise was being rearranged to make way for Christmas goods. Who buys Christmas stuff at the beginning of October? And if you do, WHY? You are ruining it for the rest of us. Those who would like to enjoy one holiday at a time. I would REALLY like the opportunity to enjoy Halloween in October. I then have dreams of grandeur that I could enjoy Thanksgiving in November. You know, Thanksgiving, that seemingly forgotten holiday tucked between Halloween and Christmas. AND, I don’t want to think about Christmas until at least the Friday after Thanksgiving. Is this too much to ask?
I think we owe it to our children to savor these holidays and try to create some great family memories. At the rate we are going, all kids are going to remember is a blurred, commercialized, selfish-spending-frenzy that we lovingly refer to as the “Holiday Season”.
It’s been 30 some years since the classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas” was released. I think old Charlie Brown was on to something about the crass commercialization of Christmas. Charles Schulz must be turning over in his grave. Happy HallowGivingMasYear!
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Totally agree with. There must be some order, because we are ruining the beauty and value of our great holidays. In such a situation, people are forgetting very important things and are focus on irrelevant things.
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It’s a little late for this post, shouldn’t you be saying happy StpatEasterfourthofJ?
Until a year or two ago Christmas sales, decorations went up the day after thanksgiving and now it is the day after halloween, a month earlier and it IS RIDICULOUS – I don’t know who came up with this but I think it will have a negative effect in the future because people will be so tired of seeing holiday displays (or just immune) there will be no interest in buying from them.
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John reply on December 2nd, 2008 11:41 am:
Actually I feel like this post is timely. I could not bring myself to write a post with the word Christmas in it until after Thanksgiving. How can I rant about it if I’m contributing to the problem! Retailers here in Virginia Beach didn’t wait until the day after Halloween. I wasn’t kidding when I said the beginning of October. I know this for sure because I broke my arm October 4th and was out picking up a prescription on the 5th when I witnessed the rearranging of Halloween merchandise. In any case, anytime before “Black Friday” is too early for me. And I totally agree, consumers are going to become immune to the holiday displays.
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You maybe right! However, when it all comes down to it I will be with my whole family on Thanksgiving and X-mas and hopefully that will never change.
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John reply on December 2nd, 2008 11:42 am:
Absolutely Rick! Our family will always get together for the holidays no matter what!
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Being a traditionalist, I totally agree with you.
And “Happy HallowGivingMasYear!” may be the best sarcastic greeting ever!
Absolutely hilarious!
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John reply on December 2nd, 2008 12:25 pm:
Thanks Paul! I’m glad to hear others agree! I wish everyone would vote with their pocketbooks and withhold Christmas spending until after Thanksgiving. It would send a message that retailers would understand. If not, we might be forced to endure our Christmas items being cross merchandised with fireworks one day.
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First time I’m hearing HallowGivesMas year. I think this can be a great post topic. Hope you have a great Christmas this year.
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I totally agree! It really bugs me to see the Halloween stuff next to the Christmas stuff. And like you said no one seems to care anymore about Thanksgiving! It’s the forgotten holiday, because they can’t make money off of it.
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John reply on December 2nd, 2008 12:08 pm:
You hit the nail on the head about Thanksgiving Sue! No one has figured out a way to capitalize on this poor holiday. Heck, the focal point of the day is a turkey and the grocery stores practically give them away! One day, some marketing genius will devise a method to stuff the turkey with presents. You simply squeeze the wing and out pops a shinny new toy for little Johnny. Then maybe good old turkey day will have its time in the spotlight and get the attention it deserves. That doesn’t sound too cynical does it?
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But John, if you don’t buy into the commercialization of Christmas, you’re not patriotic! You are anti-American if you don’t go out there and spend everything you have and then charge some more. The Charlie Brown Christmas is nice and all, but now its about stimulating our economy!
Seriously though, it makes me sick how this country has manipulated Christmas into really nothing more than a shopping frenzy.
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I am so with you on this, there needs to be some space between holidays so that we can enjoy them when they actually roll around instead of being so jaded that we can’t see the beauty of it all. Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year but I can wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving to get started on it.
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It’s aweful that the holidays have been so commercialized. Gone is the day when people made treats and well needed items for people. One of my favorite gifts is a spoon rest from a friend that works with glass.
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ha right on john. I agree with everything you say. Thanksgiving just gets so rushed. People get that holiday anxiety and next you know Christmas music in early November.
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I just hope that this financial crisis will made the people look more inside themselves and not to shopping, etc etc
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I will be enjoying a simple Christmas with my family. We will still do our shopping and buy gifts for our friends and relatives but nothing too extravagant this time due to the recession.
Even Oprah Winfrey recommends recession friendly gifts in her favorite items. After all, it is the thought that counts.
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Hey John, you are so right and I know a lot of people who feel this way but it doesn’t seem to matter. Now, I do buy Christmas gifts in October but not “Christmas decor” or things like that.
You have a great blog. I found you through Sue from Stay at Home Mom. She is featuring you in my “Meet My Friends Monday” meme. Have a great week!
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i am no where near started yet, never mind finished lol
was just stopping by from sues place- she featured you on meet my friends.
have a good day
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I am astounded when people jump to the next holiday before the last one has even ended. At least give it the month that the holiday resides in…is that really too much to ask? I am a last minute gal in everything except business so maybe that is my procrastinator side talking. Great post John!
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Personally, I’m with you. I’m tired of seeing Christmas decorations up in the shopping centers when halloween isn’t even over yet. Give me a break! And I dislike how Christmas is overly Commercialized. Do these people know what Christmas really is?
We aren’t Americans anymore. We’re Consumers. At least, that’s how they see us and that’s how they want us to see ourselves.
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