17 oct 06
Behind the huge bags of fun-sized candy, the costumes, and the spiderweb-themed decorations, Target has already stocked rows and rows of boxes of Christmas lights in every color of the rainbow. There’s a wide selection of holiday cards, tree ornaments, and tacky, moving, lighted lawn ornaments. Of course, this seems kind of ridiculous for mid-October and goes against the social norms of when the Christmas season starts (the day after Thanksgiving, although some think even that is early). As a retail store, Target is thinking that the longer the Christmas season is, the more money they will make. Valid.
Christmas is a big deal in my family, although I never thought it was particularly extravagant until I was older and compared notes with friends. It’s not so much about money, though, but more about enthusiasm. We don’t usually put up a tree, though, until mid-December (or later!), though, because we always get a real one, and the Christmas CDs don’t come out until Thanksgiving.
Tonight I read Caroline’s post in which she admitted she already has her tree up. While I’m not pulling my box out just yet, I think that’s great. Besides the obvious rampant commercialism, Christmas is a magical time for many people (me!) and can fill you up with a warm and fuzzy feeling. What’s so wrong with prolonging the enjoyment of that?
tamara / 18 oct 2006 / 1:59 p.m.
I couldn’t wait for the Christmas displays two weeks and was excited just to see mint frappacinos on the Target shelves. Now, it really is the Christmas sales season, I’m not as ready as I was before.
Laura / 18 oct 2006 / 2:10 p.m.
Hallelujah, woman!! I agree.
And it IS about enthusiasm… doesn’t have to be “material” unless you want it to.
Aubrey / 18 oct 2006 / 8:25 a.m.
We already bought some ornaments for our tree; hey, they were on sale! We usually end up putting our tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving if we’re in the area. I’m a big Christmas fan because my birthday’s also on Christmas.