I am sorry to admit that I am one of these people. I purchased my first Christmas presents well before Labor Day. I don’t start wrapping or baking until after Thanksgiving, though, when the tree goes up. In large part because we have cats, but also because it’s kind of annoying. I know this. BUT. I don’t expect everyone else to have to suffer just because I am anal-retentive (and also on a pretty tight budget). I try to keep it on the D.L. that I’m doing holiday shopping in the summertime, so as not to encourage the retailers. And just because I am in fact Christmas shopping does not mean that I want to hear “Deck the Halls” already, or see any twinkling lights or plastic reindeer. I can handle approximately 35 minutes of holiday music per year, and I usually get that from Mass on Christmas Eve.
Trifuckta!
Meh, they can start Halloween back in July, cause that holiday’s badass.
::scurries back to original post and scans:: I never said it was a nasty letter. Buying early and putting out Christmas decorations have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Are you unable to buy a gift unless it’s accompanied by schlocky music and cheap plastic? That would probably be worthy of a pitting–sort of like the networks feeling the need to put sobbing violins behind every tragedy news story simply because they are of the opinion that Americans are incapable of even the most basic of emotions without being prompted. ::stops and searches for a paper bag to vent into::
Ah, the intelligencia is heard from. . .
Christmas is a real pain in the arse. It just stops them bringing out the Easter eggs until January.
Or the intelligentsia, even. :smack:
Heh, not hardly. Last year I was wrapping the last presents Christmas Eve/early morning. 
I do at least, pick up some paper on sale when I can though. That stuff is EXPENSIVE otherwise. :eek:
I thought this was funny!
Two weeks ago, I was going out of town to a conference. I cleared security at the airport to discover a decorated Christmas tree sitting in all its glory near the gate I was departing from. My muddled brain probably would have taken more notice if it weren’t 5:30 a.m., and if I hadn’t been up since 4:00 a.m. and was caffeine-free. The helpful Westjet gate attendant announced the Christmas tree, but in a sanity-saving move for everyone pointed out that it had been placed there for a scene from a movie being shot there later in the day.
But yeah, I’m one of those early shoppers. Actually it’s my general practice that when I see something that I know would be a great gift for someone I pick up and keep it for the next suitable occasion. Christmas gifts merely get included in that.
Last I checked, people didn’t need piped-in Christmas carols and Santa crap in order to do their Christmas shopping. It’s entirely possible to purchase Christmas presents and to vend Christmas supplies (wrapping paper, tiny colorful lights, etc.) without beating shoppers over the head with Christmas “atmosphere.”
The onset of Christmas-ness in Autumn is entirely the doing of merchants who think that this will induce sluggish shoppers to spend more money, and earlier.
Pit 'em.
The scary part is it must work or they wouldn’t do it.
I really like this idea - the rhythm of the seasons. Here in Canada (and other places, for sure), the middle of winter is a cold, dark place, and having a celebration then makes good sense to me. I think you’re on to something, flodnak. I think I will try to make my Christmas more of the pagan celebration that the Romans ripped off. I’m not sure how that will affect my displeasure at rampant Christmas commercialism starting in October, however. I have to work on that bit still.
Hallmark starts with the Christmas stuff in July? Yer kidding me! That’s insane.
When I was in college, this one frat would have a “Christmas in July” party. I guess it was because July was the furthest thing from Christmas. It was a goofy kind of thing–you know, a “Santa” in a white beard and red swim trunks and all that. I can’t imagine anyone contemplating Christmas for real in the middle of summer.
I suppose it does work for the stores, but maybe not purely because they sell a lot of it. A lot of “seasonal” merchandising decisions happen because of a simple need to fill up empty shelves. So, after the summer chaise lounges and coolers are gone, and the school supplies that replaced them are gone, what’s next? Halloween, of course. But as that sells down, they need to fill the shelves.
But I absolutely agree that huge Christmas displays in October are very annoying and serve remind the customer that they are, in the minds of the retailers, nothing more than sheep with wallets. Flodnak brings up a good point about some folks needing Christmas supplies earlier than others, but the stores could address this, and fill up some empty space, with some discreet sections containing Christmas merchandise that a consumer may be more likely to really want to purchase so early, like Christmas cards and wrapping and stuff.
And in case you’re wondering what they do about all those empty shelves after Christmas? One word: Rubbermaid. In stores like Target, after Christmas is when they have big sales on gigantic Rubbermaid tubs and laundry baskets and things. They’re bulky. They take up lots of space. They’re easy to count. (Most stores do inventory around late January.) So, if you’re thinking of getting some 18-gallon Roughneck totes, see if you can put the purchase off until January!
Oh, Hallmark has Christmas stuff around all year. They just start the full-court press in July. I have one of those Gold Crown Card thingies, and I start getting ads and coupons for ornaments and other holiday junk around Memorial Day, I think.
I’ve been to Brazil for Christmas and it was kind of strange walking around in shorts and a t-shirt seeing Christmas trees and Santa (or Papai Noel as he is known there) in the malls. Also, I think some of our Australian Dopers have been contemplating Christmas in the middle of summer all their lives.
Ho, ho, ho!
When I had my Game Store I refused to play xmas music at all, no decorations, no glurgy bullshit, I only ever had one woman complain, the rest either had no comment or were happy to get away from it all. I recieved a lot of comments from people who were honestly sick of it all, believe me I understand.
jingle bells, 43299347394875329485793487349 variations but its still the same stupid song you have been hearing since you were born.
Santaclause is coming to town, see above
repeat for every xmas song in existance.
xmas music makes me want to break things.
So, its mission is accomplished then. 