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A big CONGRATULATIONS to Goddesses Lori Austin (Lori Handeland) and Sabrina Jeffries for being named as RITA finalists for their historical romances BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER and A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS!
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As many of you know, I have a Christmas book coming out today. The day before Halloween. And no, my publisher doesn’t have some evol plan to confuse you about holidays so you’ll start your Christmas shopping early. Oh, wait, yes, they do. But there’s another legit reason for it. Really. Christmas merchandise has a shelf life. After Christmas, it’s pretty much useless. So all the many Christmas books start coming out in late September and keep coming out up until the end of November. Mine is actually a bit late in the Christmas Book Season–late October! Wow.
But honestly, aren’t you all used to this by now? I mean, to the right is a picture taken in my local dollar store by my assistant on September 18th. I kid you not. They were already offering Christmas wrapping paper, etc. Did they switch out the Back to School stuff for Christmas stuff, bypassing Halloween and Thanksgiving altogether? And how am I supposed to get in my witchy, spooky, costume-loving, horror-movie-loving mood when there are elves and Christmas trees decorating the mall? Never mind being in the mood for turkey dinner!
So here’s what I suggest for coping with Creeping Christmas-ism–i.e., the increasing encroachment of Christmas into September, October, and November:
September–Buy all your relations sale school supplies as Christmas gifts, and explain that you were seduced by the Christmas decorations into thinking those were suitable. Think of the money you’ll save! Plus, who DOESN’T want a stapler for Christmas?
October–Put a Jack-o-Lantern in the center of every store Christmas wreath you see. Drive a knife through Santa’s heart. Offer your trick-or-treat candy in a Christmas box. All of that will scare and confuse the kiddies, which is the point of Halloween anyway.
November–Go only to those stores with Thanksgiving decorations. Sure, that will probably limit you to a craft store and some bakery that hasn’t changed its decorations in five years, but hey, some sacrifices are necessary for the cause! Bookstores, however, must be exempt, since, ahem, my Christmas book is out. In case you missed it. Because I know I have barely mentioned it in passing.
Okie-dokie. Now we have a plan!
So tell me, does it bother you that they put up Christmas decorations in September? Or do you feel like the earlier the better? Do you decorate for Halloween? For Thanksgiving? (I actually don’t–I only decorate for Christmas, but not until December!) When do you put your decorations up? What is your suggestion for dealing with Creeping Christmas-ism?
P.S. One lucky individual will win an out-of-print copy of the only book I have that comes even CLOSE to being appropriate for Halloween–Dance with the Devil, which has stories by Rexanne Becnel, Anne Logan, Meagan McKinney, and me writing as Deborah Martin!
165 Comments on “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like … Halloween?”
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I think that it is a travesty with just how over commercialized Christmas has become. While our back to school sales are in January, we do have mid year and end of season sales and it was during this time that New Guy and I were out shopping when I noticed that there was Christmas stuff slowly coming out at the end of August/beginning of September. When I was volunteering with Lifeline, we would decorate the store around the end of November to the beginning of December because it was at this time that people would be looking for such things thanks to Christmas parties and the like. I personally decorate my house at the beginning of December and it is at this time that I strive to create the perfect Christmas tree (every year I fail and get depressed about it but it doesn’t stop me from trying). Yeah, sorry about the rant but I feel very strongly about this. People, especially companies, need to remember the reason for the season and that reason isn’t to make big money. *puts soap box back in cupboard*
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:03 am.
I used to strive for the perfect tree as well. Then DH reminded me that trees in nature aren’t perfect. DH worked with a designer for a short time when we had our company. She could make the perfect tree. He reminded me that those trees were cold, and weren’t put together with the love that we put into our tree. Suddenly, my trees got a lot more beautiful. I think that it is the love we put into decorating trees that makes them pretty. *thank you for letting me borrow your soap box*
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:39 am.
I understand your rant. I happen to LOVE Christmas, and I still think it begins too early these days.
But I’m with Amanda–the perfect tree is one that is soaked in family tradition and memories. Ours definitely is! I used to like the store ones, too, but these days, I like our messy, all-kinds-of-ornaments tree because it’s US.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:52 am.
It really bums me out when they put out stuff for Christmas,when Halloween hasn’t even gotten here. I want to enjoy the holidays to the fullest and this ruins it big time. I decorate for Halloween and Christmas but Thanksgiving is all about the food *winks*
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:06 am.
I know–I don’t decorate for Halloween (I can barely manage it for Christmas), which is precisely why I want those Halloween decorations everywhere else!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:53 am.
I hate that they put Christmas decorations up before my birthday (in late September). Halloween is the start of the decorating season but that means Halloween then harvest stuff for Thanksgiving and only Christmas the weekend after Thanksgiving – that’s when we traditionally get our tree. Putting out Christmas stuff before Halloween is too much. I get my Christmas shopping done early but seriously, I don’t need decorations until November at the earliest.
Congratulations on the book release, I can’t wait to read it!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:23 am.
I’m with you on that!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:54 am.
I am not a fan of the September Christmas decor, but I am a fan of Christmas books! And yours is fab! Just what I need when I really should start thinking about Christmas presents–even if I’m not ready!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:46 am.
I’m not ready this year either!! We should go Christmas shopping together, Deb.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:54 am.
It’s as if they forget that there’s any other holiday besides Christmas. This time of year I’m looking for the spooky books and good luck finding those. I’m looking for the spooky shows and movies. Good luck finding those. But if I wanted to stock up on Christmas books? I’m tripping all over those now. Have been for a while. Congrats on the book release.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:53 am.
Thanks, Aida! I’m glad they didn’t put my book out until the end of October at least. They wanted to do it NEXT Tuesday, but election day was a problem.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:55 am.
Well I feel like Christmas has become commercialized due to the decorations being out early in stores before its halloween and thanksgiving. I think this commercialized bit must be from the bad economy hitting at the moment hence stores thinking of putting them out early to hopefully get sales and more money from that. I feel like Christmas has stopped being a miraculous holiday and a holiday of goodwill towards people due to complaints from my family of having to buy all that gift stuff for giving at christmas. in my opinion Christmas should be about miracles and not about commercialized products.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:00 am.
I think Christmas should be about joy. I guess, for some people that’s shopping, though.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:56 am.
It does bother me that they put Christmas decorations up so soon. I was at the mall buying my niece maternity clothes in mid-September and my sis in law stopped dead and said, “Are those . . . Christmas decorations?” Horror on the last two words. I had to agree. They were.
My idea of decorating is tossing around a few themed beanie babies. Which reminds me. I haven’t dug out Radar, Ghost and Pumpkin yet.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:33 am.
Is that what you do for Christmas, too, Lori? I don’t decorate for any holiday but Christmas. But I sure don’t start decorating for Christmas in September!!!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:57 am.
Yep, Christmas themed beanie babies. That’s me. Although last year I did put up a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Very spindly and small. Fit in a tiny corner. Loved it. I might go that way again if I can find one.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:42 am.
Oh, forgot to say Congrats on the release!! Love the cover. Just ordered it for my Kindle. Yippee.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:43 am.
Thanks, Lori!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:23 am.
I have one fall decoration sitting on my kitchen table. It is a jack-o-lantern with a tea candle in it. Since the Halloween storm is passing through our county in OH, it will come in handy if we lose our electric. My husband will start putting up the outdoor decorations in November for the grand lighting on Thanksgiving night. The tree will probably be up the week-end after. I think it is too early but my husband loves Christmas. I hope everyone is safe.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:41 am.
Stay safe, Sandi! This is a bad one.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:24 am.
I don’t think Christmas decorations should go up in stores until after Halloween. It seems it gets earlier and earlier each year. They do the same thing with Valentine’s Day candy and cards around here. It goes out right after Christmas is over. I would like some time to recover from one occasion before the next is being pushed on me.
I don’t decorate for Halloween, other then a few carved pumpkins, but since I have had kids, I usually go all out for Christmas. We usually make a day of it. I put on the Christmas music and we spend the day decorating. I do dread having to take it all down again, though. Hubby and my girls are usually eagar to help put up decorations, but nobody wants to help take them down. I am sure I will have some help from our puppy, though. She will probably have the tree half down before Christmas.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:16 am.
I forgot to mention… Happy Release Day!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:17 am.
Thanks, Amy!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:44 pm.
It is amazing how no one wants to jump in and re-box all that stuff! Same problem at our house, as well.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:32 am.
I go all out, too! But not until right after Thanksgiving. *G*
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:48 pm.
When I worked at the fabric store in college, we put out Christmas fabric in July. I didn’t mind that so much, as quilters would come in and buy it because if they didn’t start on their projects that early, they wouldn’t be done in time. Believe me, these ladies were all about making Christmas magic for their kids and grandkids. I really wish I was that talented, and saw some awesome homemade stuff. That said, I’m against the pre-made stuff that is already cluttering shelves. I don’t want to even think about it!
We always put our tree up Thanksgiving weekend. I started doing Advent with the family about four years ago, so looking at the calendar, one has to at least get the Advent stuff out that weekend so that it times right at Christmas. On the flip side, I try to have most of the Christmas stuff down by Jan 1. Which reminds, me the lit garland for my cabinets died last year, so I’ll need a new one of those….You’re right, it does creep in!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:29 am.
I saw the Christmas lights at Target yesterday, along with the Halloween stuff. Couldn’t believe it!
I’m one of those who leaves my Christmas stuff up awhile, but only because in New Orleans (my hometown) the tradition is to keep it up until Epiphany (Jan. 6th).
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:50 pm.
Just finished “Twas the night….” Thanks to pre-orders, and apps on phones. Loved it! Also enjoyed the teaser at the end for the next book.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:06 pm.
Ooh, glad you liked it, Amanda! I haven’t been able to bring myself to read a book on the phone yet.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:28 pm.
I love Christmas, but I don’t love how every year Christmas decorations, etc. seem to creep out earlier and earlier. I do decorate for Halloween, but I will admit I start decorating for Christmas about half way through November. My house has a nice mix of Christmas and Thanksgiving decor for turkey day.
I like your ideas, and would absolutely lose it if I ever saw a jack-o-lantern in the middle of a wreath! Good luck with Twas the Night After Christmas! I’m looking forward to it! I am one of those that could read a good Christmas themed book any day of the year though! Happy Halloween!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:54 am.
Kelly, I do sympathize with you for wanting to decorate before Thanksgiving. My whole family usually only comes for Thanksgiving, so I always wish I could decorate before so they could see it! But this year I’ll be lucky to be functional for Thanksgiving, LOL!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:49 pm.
I have watched Christmas merchandising creep earlier and earlier over the years, and think the line was crossed when they started it in September. I can’t imagine that any more is sold by doing this. It just makes people jaded. As for decorations, around here they are not nearly as elaborate as they used to be, so it can wait, seems to me. I can remember when the decorations in department stores were magical, but then during one recession they all scaled back and never hyped it up again. Now it is just a dab here and there in the big stores. I barely notice, so it doesn’t much matter when they go up.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:59 am.
They’re full on down here. It’s a little disconcerting!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:50 pm.
I love Halloween and decorate like crazy. We planted pumpkins, squashes and gourds this year and we have LOTS. They are sprinkled in groupings all over in and outside. We chalk on the driveway and play scary music out the windows for trick and treating. Sadly, with Sandy, we will probably have rain this year.
I love Christmas music and could start listening to it right after Halloween but decorating for it has become a chore. Now that the girls are grown and we are empty nesters why do so much? The house icicles go up Thanksgiving weekend and we drive out to the tree farm to find a tree the first weekend in December.
Christmas in September is irritating but with the economy and online shopping I guess retailers need to do what they can!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:02 am.
I do assume that’s why they’re doing it–to perk up sales. But like Madeline, I wonder if it actually does any good.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:51 pm.
I feel like Christmas really does start in July now-a-days! I put up my decorations the first Sunday of Advent. And I have massive amounts of Christmas cheer. I think I probably over compensate since I don’t decorate for any other season.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:10 am.
Me, too! It’s definitely the only holiday I decorate for.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:52 pm.
I have given up my ranting to the Christmas Decoration gods. Stores don’t want to hear from their customers. By golly they can move Christmas merchandise during the off season, so they will.
Too bad that it all loses its christmassy shine by Christmas.
I. Hate. It.
And by the way retailers. There is NOT a new “Extended Season” Traditionally Christmas Starts the day after thanksgiving. Macy’s set it up that way. You watch the parade as the Magic happens behind the scenes of all the huge stores, then the windows go on Disply. THEM’S THE RULES.
Freaking magic stealing retailers…..
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:17 am.
But I’m not bitter…..
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:18 am.
LOL!!! I know, by the time Christmas comes we’re all sick of it, and it’s ALL THEIR FAULT! But I’m not bitter either.
And I do have a Christmas book, so I shouldn’t complain!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:18 pm.
It bothers me when I see Christmas decorations when it is still hot as blazes, which it often is in September around here. The two don’t go together. It usually pisses me off. But then again, in late September, just about everything does
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:34 am.
I know what you mean!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:19 pm.
I’m with you Sabrina. I put up my Christmas decorations in December. Halloween I might buy a pumpkin, that’s all.
Thanksgiving I occasionally have themed napkins.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:16 am.
I had little pilgrims on my table last Thanksgiving, but only because Becky, my assistant, loaned them to me. She decorates for EVERYTHING.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:20 pm.
The day after thanksgiving is the perfect time to put up christmas decor. I decorate for fall, some halloween, some harvest type decorations. Your book just got delivered to my kindle and I can’t wait to escape into it
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:25 am.
Hope you like it!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:21 pm.
Oh for sure it bothers me to see the Christmas stuff out at the same time that Halloween decorations are going up. But I guess we are not in the retail business and like you said it is a short shelf life for these things.
In Canada we have Thanksgiving in October, so some decorations are put out, like a centre piece of pumpkins and my Door decoration a friend gave me welcoming the Autumn season. But that is about it.
I don’t even put up my Christmas stuff until nearly the end of November.. One year it was nearly the middle of December that my decorations went up. And that was only because I was having compnay coming for the weekend and they had never not seen my home decorated for the holidays. But my dad was really sick, it was just month before he died and Christmas decorations were the last thing on my mind.. I took most of them down by Christmas Eve as I wss going to be spending the next number of days at my mom’s and they were all down before New Years Eve..
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:28 am.
Kathleen, in a way it would be better having Thanksgiving and Halloween close to each other, because a general fall theme would make sense. Then you could segue to Christmas after Halloween.
But not before!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:30 pm.
It. Annoys. The. Flippin’. Heck. Out. Of. Me. It’s OCTOBER! WHY on Earth are Christmas decorations out? Why have they been out for a MONTH? Why are the supermarket been playing Christmas songs??? For cryin’ out loud!!! I don’t love Christmas as much as I used to, I admit, but I do love decorations, food and crowded malls. Still, it’s TOO EARLY!!!! Can’t we wait till it’s like, December??? Here in my home we wait till like December 24th, in the morning, to put up the tree! We’re rebels!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:34 am.
Don’t y’all also leave them up until Epiphany (King’s Day)? We did in New Orleans, so that’s part of it for me. The season goes until January 6th, so mid-Sept. to then is REALLY long!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:31 pm.
Yup, leave’m until King’s Day, January six. Crazy shit, right?
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 9:32 pm.
Not crazy at all!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:28 pm.
I don’t like it when Christmas decorations are already out in September. There are still some holidays that have to come before it’s Christmas! I think it’s also confusing for the kids. The decorations are already in the stores, but they have to wait for 3 more months before Santa comes!
I only decorate for Christmas and I do it after December 6.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:25 am.
I don’t like the commericalization of Christmas…I loved it when everything just magically appeared the Friday after Thanksgiving.
We don’t begin decorating for Christmas until the first Sunday of Advent and then it is done progessively. A little at a time.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:32 am.
I do tend to do it all at once. It’s just easier that way.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:32 pm.
While I love Christmas, I think what is sad about how early they put everything out is that by the time Christmas actually arrives, it has lost some of its magic.
Now, granted, when I am in my crafty mode, it is nice to have holiday fabrics and things out early, but that is about it. I think stores and malls should wait until Halloween to put things out (remember those days?)
Black Friday is always decoration day for me. I don’t go to malls or stores, but rather stay home and festoon my place with sparkly holiday fabulousness
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:33 am.
Exactly!! That’s what bothers me. Yes, Black Friday tends to be when I decorate, too.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:32 pm.
I love christmas so it doesn’t bother me. BUT my daughter loves halloween and she really likes it. I don’t put up christmas decorations until late Nov…
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:39 am.
Christmas IS my favorite holiday, I will admit. It still is, even after all these years!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:33 pm.
I do think Christmas has become entirely too commercialized, however I love the music and bright decorations, so I’m usually glad to see it all.
We decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving. We are usually off on Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving–get together on Thursday, shop Friday, decorate Saturday and church Sunday.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:57 am.
Sounds like the perfect plan!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:33 pm.
I love holidays, I decorate mostly for Christmas but since I love crafts – I have a wreath for just about every season, holiday & few that are kinda quirky. I like to celebrate one holiday at a time; that is about all I can handle. No suggestions on how to deal with Hallo-Thanks-mas. I do get tempted to purchase early (the hubby tries to help me refrain).
I think stores overdue it with EVERY holiday;
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:11 pm.
I keep wanting to get one of those all-purpose wreaths, where you can do them for every season. One of these days … *G*
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:40 pm.
Congrats on your release!! I’m so happy for you, Sabrina!
I do decorate for fall; pumpkins, potted chrysanthemums, harvest wreath on the door, and it really amazes me that the Christmas decorations go up in September. I mean, honestly! It’s like . . . July 4th decorations, and then BAM, it’s Christmas. I don’t like having 3 months ‘stolen’ from me, especially since fall is my favorite season.
Bah, humbug.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:40 pm.
That’s a good way of describing it–three months stolen!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:40 pm.
Happy new release day. How conveniently timed. I’m just finishing Lori’s newest and its hurricane-the office has now power and is closed day!
Now seriouly, thank you tons for the funniest, most evil things I’ve ever seen on this blog: Drive a knife through Santa’s heart. Merry Christmas kiddies!
I’m over the Christmas too early thing. I hate it as a civilian, understand the need for it as a seller of goods. Each year the Christmas selling season gets tougher (4th quarter) and yeah it dilutes the spirit but we all benefit from the season jobs it creates, the extra sales taxes that support our towns, etc. Apologies for those retailers who do it out of simple greed.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:52 pm.
I just heard they are saying it will take 4 days for NYC to restore power. You might be able to make a dent in that tbr pile!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:12 pm.
It’s always lovely to have the retailer perspective from you, Fresh!
Yes, I couldn’t resist being a little evil. And really, I shouldn’t, since I have a Christmas book out!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:42 pm.
I thought that today as I was looking for a halloween bag for my son …christmas stuff everywhere !! I am an early shopper but I think we can wait until after thanksgiving to have the christmas trees up in the store!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:56 pm.
I don’t even mind TOO much if the stuff goes up in November. But September seems just TOO early.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:43 pm.
Used to put up some Halloween, but with grown child, that’s all gone. I might change some colors around the dining room for Thanksgiving, but not really much. Christmas is getting smaller and closer to the holiday except for my Dicken’s – those make great night lights (ha). This year we’re packing to move so we’ll probably have less of everything.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:58 pm.
I just started collecting the Dickens village houses, and last year I got several for Christmas, so I can’t wait to put my new ones up for this Christmas!!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:21 pm.
I love the feeling that Christmas brings and sometimes it needs to go up sooner. We don’t decorate for Halloween, but do put a little fall stuff out. Like Small pumpkin centerpiece with fall flowers or we use fall colors in tea towels. We keep that up through Christmas. Then Christmas goes up on my birthday, per tradition. My birthday is Dec 1.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 12:59 pm.
That’s so fun, to have a birthday on Dec. 1st! I bet you enjoy that.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:21 pm.
I love Xmas even in July. It cannot come erly enough for me. And your book in october is an early xmas present to me.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:00 pm.
Always happy to be somebody’s early Christmas present!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:22 pm.
I really don’t like how early everything is. Let us get through one holiday before having to think about the next one. If we decorate it is for Christmas and usually on Thanksgiving or after never before.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:00 pm.
Same here, Josie!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:22 pm.
It does bug me to see Christmas out so early. Makes me feel far behind from the get-go! I love Halloween, so I do decorate for it. Love T-giving and usually everyone is here, so decorate for that too. Christmas goes up Chez Ridgway beginning the Friday after T-giving (starting with house lights). I try to upgrade my decorations each year or at least toss (or leave in boxes) the tackier ones, but the boys always drag them out.
Went to a Halloween party over the weekend and there was a couple costumed as Santa and his helper. Now that was scary!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:01 pm.
LOL about the Santa costume at Halloween! Santa didn’t have a knife through his heart, did he?
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:23 pm.
It seems to me that stores are putting out the christmas stuff earlier and earlier every year. I do love christmas especially since I have a granson to spoil rotten but I do thhink they could wait a little to put it out.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:07 pm.
Yes, having the kiddies to spoil makes a difference!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:25 pm.
a few years ago i was so ahead with my christmas shopping i was done at the beginning of Oct and I just want to wrap them up and be completely done … but i couldnt find wrapping paper anywhere and now i see wrapping paper out in sept. I wish the stores would wait to me we are becoming like the movie how the grinch stole christmas and the year is getting to be all about christmas. I do decorate for halloween and I will not put up my tree until Thanksgiving day and even i think thats early as is . I really wish I had taken a picture of the house outside of town to share they have their halloween decorations up with their christmas decor it looks like a confusing jumbled mess with bats flying into reindeer and santa being eaten by spiders lol
meandi09@yahoo.com
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:20 pm.
Jennifer, I’d love to see that picture! Sounds hilarious!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:26 pm.
I decorate just a little for Halloween (pumpkins, wreath, etc.) but all out for Christmas. I don’t put Christmas decorations up until the day after Thanksgiving though and have been very suprised by Christmas items in stores for sale before Halloween!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:24 pm.
I know. It used to be that Halloween was the cut off. Now, it seems to be Labor Day.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:27 pm.
The commercialization of Christmas has always bugged me, but at the same time I know that Christmas is usually the best time of the year for retailers, and I can’t blame them for wanting to extend the extra sales.
I just ignore the decorations, honestly.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:28 pm.
Well, I do want the retailers to get their sales, because that’s good for everyone.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:27 pm.
No, I think they should hold the decorating till December .They do everything to early for me.I love to decorate for Christmas , but wait till December .
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:31 pm.
I totally agree!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:28 pm.
It bothers me that Christmas stuff is out there so early. What’s wrong with enjoying each holiday as they come? Are we in such a rush that we can’t enjoy each holiday? Poor Thanskgiving is shoved between these 2 holidays, and I think we all could use a moment or two to be thankful for the many things that we have in our lives.
I don’t decorate for Halloween or Thanksgiving because one, it’s requires time and energy that I don’t have, and two, you have to store this stuff somewhere. I’ve other things that I’d rather keep around. Christmas is the only holiday I decorate for – and I usually decorate the first week in December.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:32 pm.
That’s me, too. I don’t decorate for Easter either. It’s a lovely idea, but I just can’t manage it. Which is probably why I throw so much into Christmas.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:28 pm.
I know this may offend people, but I am seriously tired of the complaint that A)Christmas comes out to early and B)Christmas is over commercialized. I have been hearing these complaints since I can remember and I am solidly in my thirties. The only evidence I have had that Christmas decorations didn’t always start coming out this early is that year after year I have to hear people complain about it.
Look all holidays are commercialized, that’s how companies sell things. If you don’t like it make all your gifts from things you find outside or in hardware stores (btw craft stores start holiday stuff months before other places so the crafty diyers have time to get there projects done). It’s commercialized because we buy it.
Now all that being said, I bring christmas into halloween thanks to Tim Burton. I start with my Jack and Sally stuff and that stays out till after christmas. I also like to utilize the christmas section of Walmart, I like to go to walmart and walk laps for exercise and the christmas section is always empty this time of year and as an added bonus I get to see all the new stuff they are going to have and price compare early on.
So in conclusion I say embrace it as the holiday season and if you feel Christmas is taking too much of Halloween’s time, then leave some of you halloween stuff out during christmas to balance it out.Imagine bat’s in you christmas tree and wolfman on top.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:32 pm.
Good idea, Tanya! I’m solidly in my fifties, so I do remember when Christmas stuff didn’t go out so early.
But I’m like you–the “commercialism” of Christmas doesn’t really bother me. I just don’t want to be sick of it by December 25th!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:31 pm.
I have to admit I love Christmas, but my tree and decorations only come out on December…OK early December, like the 1st to be correct, but I don’t allow myself to put them up before that! Plus, my boyfriend would kill me, he´s more like the “Grinch” he hates to go out for Christmas shopping, hates the fact that he has to buy gifts, hates Xmas musics…I just love all that, but in December when it´s natural to feel the Christmas spirit!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:41 pm.
I’m married to a Grinch, so I know what you mean! He likes it okay (and he does want some of it), but he always thinks I over do it.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:31 pm.
Actually, it annoys me more that Halloween has become another Christmas! It used to be you’d just see the yards decorated for trick-or-treat, so only for a week or so. Now Halloween lasts two months. I try to pick out the decorations that are more harvest-oriented and avoid the creepy stuff. That way it lasts into Thanksgiving. We have a tradition of starting Christmas decorating the day after Thanksgiving. I don’t do Black Friday shopping, so that’s how I fill my extra day off (besides doing dishes and eating leftovers! LOL)
It makes sense to put out Christmas books early, because as you pointed out, not many people are shopping for Christmas stories by New Year’s Day. In fact, reading about someone else’s Christmas helps get me into gear for my own. Reading about it isn’t the same as doing it. I’ll be out looking for your book as soon as the roads are clear from Sandy!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:42 pm.
Gretchen, hope you weren’t hit too hard!!!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:32 pm.
I do feel like they are moving up the hoildays on everyone. Its to early to be worrying about Christmas.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:42 pm.
I agree!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:32 pm.
I am appalled by Christmas decoration in September because it turns the holiday season into a commercial venture. Plus other holidays are overlooked, such as Veterans Day.
Loved TWAS THE NIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 1:59 pm.
I’m so glad you liked it, Kim! And thanks for touting it on your site, too. I really appreciate it.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:33 pm.
Power still out, so this will be brief. The girls put up some and I don’t like Christmas before Halloween.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:00 pm.
Hope you get power back soon, Donna! Many hugs from us down south who dodged the bullet.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:34 pm.
Went to the mall this morning and everything was decorated Christmas. Blah. Don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas and all the decorations that go with it. It’s just too early. I do decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Our family tradition is that the Christmas tree and decorations go up the day after Christmas…not before. I do start looking through my patterns and start crocheting for Christmas as early as August just to get everything done. And I start reading Christmas romances in October, working my way up to Christmas movies in November.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:09 pm.
I end up writing Christmas books out of season sometimes. Last year, I was writing this one in March!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:22 pm.
I decorate for Halloween usually the first week of October. I don’t do scary gorey stuff, but I have a village, ceramic candle holders, kirchen witches, leaves and lights. After Halloween, I just leave up the fall leaves and lights. Then the weekend after Thanksgiving, I switch it out to the Christmas decorations. I can’t stand when I see Christmas in the stores in September.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
A Halloween village?? How cool! I didn’t even know they had those.
Hope you’re surviving the weather okay!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:23 pm.
Halloween candy came out the moment kids went back to school, I myself have seen the Christmas decorations up and mingling with the Halloween and the Cornocopias – I hate it. It makes the feel of time rushing by all to real, don’t I get that enough just looking at my children (when did they grow a 12 inches?).
I love Halloween, I get to dress up, decorate an allow that freak factor to show. From heads that are in jars to the fake blood splatter, I have it. I love to be scared and to scare people, so this is the time I can do it freely.
I decorate for Thanksgiving in the way of a wreath and harvest tablecloth & hand towels – Thanksgiving is just a sign of the crazy shopping that will ensue right after the turkey has been carved,
The most wonderful time of the year – Christmas. Oh, how I love Christmas, the music, the lights, the giving spirit that flows out of humanity. Christmas is like an addiction, I bake and bake until my house smells of every traditional cookie in my family. I have a tree and decorations that I put out in care (which is done after my son’s birthday in early December). I shop and make gifts like I was an elf in the workshop all the time signing Christmas songs.
I do wish I could enjoy each holiday for itself, not through the jumble that the stores create (at the craft store you have Halloween in the front right, Thanksgiving in the front left, and center is already red, green, and gold— I feel my eyes have been assaulted).
I can’t wait to run out today and pick up your book. I am addicted to Christmas stories and find that anytime in the year is good for them. I even grabbed up a few and finished them this past week.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:10 pm.
The costumes are my favorite part, even though I rarely get invited to a Halloween costume party. I’ll have to throw one some year!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:24 pm.
Oh, and thanks for getting the book!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:25 pm.
I don’t decorate much for Halloween, just a small garden flag and a fake directional sign (cemetary .4 of a mile, you get the idea.
Nor do I decorate for Thanksgiving since we are generally visiting family in upstate NY.
If I could have my way I’d put up the Christmas tree and a few decorations 2-3 days before Christmas and take them down by 12th night. Now don’t get me wrong I love Christmas and I love to watch people open gifts that I’ve given them, and I do try to keep the Christmas spirit alive in my heart all year but since my mom died I haven’t had as much heart to put into Christmas, so my oldest daughter decorates the house for me as her Christmas gift to my husband and me.
Do I mind the creeping commercialism, sometimes yes, but today I’d welcome Christmas carols with open arms so I wouldn’t have to listen to one more political commercial!
I do mind them in September and October on non-presidential years, November is early enough thank you very much.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:26 pm.
I’m sure it’s really hard to deal with losing your mother. I’m so lucky my mom is still with us. I don’t know how I’m going to stand it when she passes on. It’s so sweet of your daughter to do the decorating for you! What a great gift.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:26 pm.
I enjoy all the holidays at the end of the year, but by the time Christmas is actually here I’m tired of seeing and hearing about it since the decorations have been out since September. Though I can understand the retailers, I used to work in retail and we were getting Christmas stuff in July that we had to find room to store in the small backrooms. So putting it out on the shelves gets it out of the way,and makes extra money.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:32 pm.
That does make sense, Diana!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:27 pm.
Well, I understand the retail end of getting things out early but it is disheartening to see Christmas items at the end of September so that by the time the holiday season is “really” upon us we are sick of it.
I do decorate for Halloween,Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I have decoration that my kids have made when they were small that I enjoy putting out. And who can resist doing a Thanksgiving table?
The upside is you have more time to shop!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:38 pm.
This year I may NEED more time to shop! It’s been a busier year than most.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:28 pm.
Such a fun column. Thanks, Sabrina. And to all of those who haven’t yet done so–RUN OUT and get ‘Twas the Night After Christmas. You’ll thank me later.
I decorate a little for Halloween. Most things–except for the jack-o-latern–are fall related and will stay put through Thanksgiving. We traditionally began our Christmas decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving, because of the extra vacation time. Now that we’re retired, who knows! I do object to the “creeping” associated with Christmas decorations, because I believe it minimizes the true specialness of this time of year.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 2:45 pm.
Aww, thanks, LSUReader. Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, that’s my complaint exactly. If Christmas lasts for months, it takes away from its specialness.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:29 pm.
Christmas in September drives me bonkers! However, it didn’t stop me from picking up an angel for my garden; by the time I was ready to buy one last year, they were out of stock. She had a trumpet, and I really wanted her. No trumpet this year, but I haven’t given up. Nothing wrong with two angels.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:05 pm.
I know–everything is picked over by December, so now I have to get in there early.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:30 pm.
We have minimum decorations for Halloween. And we don’t decorate for Thanksgiving. For Christmas decorations go up no earlier than Dec 1st, and that is all out.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:16 pm.
It seems a shame not to decorate for Thanksgiving, but I find the decorations boring for that holiday.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:31 pm.
So here is my take on the discussion, I agree that Christmas decorations are out in stores way too early, I don’t like to see Halloween candy and displays too early either. I don’t decorate for Halloween since my kids are grown. My Christmas decoration usually go up middle of December, then I am in the Christmas spirit and really enjoy taking out the decorations and ornaments my kids made, put on my Christmas music. Also, I don’t like to see Christmas trees in the trash the day after Christmas, it seems good warm feelings of Christmas are gone too soon.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:20 pm.
Well, my tree is artificial, but even if it weren’t, my tree would stay up to Jan. 6th, dropping needles and all!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:32 pm.
I don’t decorate for Halloween, but I do try to put a few things out for Thanksgiving so seeing Christmas decorations in September drives me crazy. I still have several months to get through before I’m thinking about decorating for Christmas. I usually decorate for Christmas the first part of December and take it all down around the first of the year.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:25 pm.
Well, I’m already thinking about it, thanks to seeing so much of it in the stores!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:50 pm.
We’ve already had Thanksgiving in Canada so after tomorrow it will be full-on Christmas decorations for everyone… Right after they take down their Halloween stuff… We love Halloween so our house is pretty decked out~ I personally don’t like my ‘decor’ out of place for longer than a couple of weeks, so we decorate for Christmas mid December… What can I say, I like my poop in a group
Happy Release Day!
Pam
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:37 pm.
That sounds like it works well!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:51 pm.
I hate the early push for Christmas.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 3:44 pm.
Obviously, you are NOT alone!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:51 pm.
No, it doesn’t bother me that they put Christmas decorations up in September. I rather like it. It makes me think that Christmas is coming soon, and I simply love that. Autumn is my favourite time of year simply because of the anticipation that I get before Christmas. I have decorated over the American Thanksgiving weekend before, but generally I like to decorate on the first of December or the last weekend in November. My two sons are now just old enough (3 1/2 and 2) to look forward to Christmas, so this year is going to be awesome.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:18 pm.
Yes, Christmas is always better with kids. It just is!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:52 pm.
Hey, I actually love Christmas! I live in the Christmas City, Bethlehem, Pa.. My daughter’s name is Noell( she was born in March).
I do decorate for Thanksgiving, twice! My husband is Canadian so we celebrate his and ours. Christmas decorations have always been up by the weekend of Black Friday. Growing up in this city the candles had to be in the windows for the Moravian candle light tours.
My grandfather was Moravian and my grandmother a devote Catholic. I grew up with my grandparents and thus we celebrated in both ways. Oddly enough my daughter was baptized in the Moravian Church and my son in the Catholic Church. Guess I am carrying on the tradition of the family.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:08 pm.
Sounds like you got quite a mix in every way!
It’s always fun to have more than one tradition in the family–that’s how I adopted the celebration of the Epiphany.
I love the Noel, but then I like Christmas, too.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:19 pm.
I don’t care one way or the other about the stores carrying Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. They have an area in the store that is dedicated to seasonal items and if they do not use it, it is considered dead space and the consumer pays more for other items (not seasonal related). When I decorate for Christmas, I do it after Thanksgiving, usually the same weekend. I will not take the decorations down until the end of January because I go all out and it feels like to much work to put the decorations away.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:09 pm.
I know what you mean about wanting to get full use out of the decorations. That’s why mine stay up until January 6th!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:20 pm.
I do love Christmas but hate to see all the Christmas stuff out in Sept/Oct. I was shopping for some halloween decor for the office (we decorate for Halloween and Christmas)in early Oct and was amazed as I watched a couple workers put up Christmas trees. I’m just not ready to hear Jingle Bells in October.
December 1st is open season for decorating here at the office and at home. We don’t usually get a tree for home until the middle of the month as I leave it up until after the 1st.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 5:28 pm.
Well, I will say I can’t wait until the middle of December. I have to have my Christmas stuff up a full month or it just doesn’t feel right, LOL!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:21 pm.
I put my Christmas tree up on Dec. 17. My birthday is Dec. 16 and as a kid I always got to pick 2 presents from under the tree for my birthday presents. I got gipped both ways. So I guess it’s just a way to make the trimming of the tree extra special for my family and me. I take it down Jan. 1. I don’t do more decorating than that because my youngest is 12 now.
I think I deserve the book. lol
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:01 pm.
Lori, I pick randomly, so you never know! Yes, people with birthdays near Christmas always seem to get gypped. That’s why I’m glad mine’s in August.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:22 pm.
I hate seeing Christmas things in the stores early. I LOVE Halloween and it seems that Christmas is taking over even that holiday. By the time Christmas finally gets here, I am so burned out. I do decorate for different holidays, Halloween and Christmas being the two biggies. I take the Halloween decor down the day after, and put out a few gourds and fall leaves wreaths for Thanksgiving. The Christmas tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving, no earlier. I usually take it down the day after Christmas because I am so sick of Christmas by that time.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:06 pm.
I love Halloween, too, which is why I hate to see it get short shrift!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:23 pm.
It drives me crazy to see Christmas decorations put up in September and October. I don’t decorate for Christmas until right after Thanksgiving. One month of holiday “cheer” is more than enough for me, thank you!
Plus, Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays, so I love dressing up and decorating for it. And not with red and green!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:24 pm.
The costumes are the best part!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:23 pm.
I really dislike how decoratiions for the holidays show up earlier and erlier each year. I feel badly for the children – they go into stores seeing Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations at the same time which must be confusing.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:53 pm.
Pretty soon they’ll be calling it Hallowmas! Or Christmaseen.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:25 pm.
It bothers me to see Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving a lot. I don’t do anything until about mid-December, except put up my special countdown wreath on Dec. 1 and decorate my office (since it’s only about 15 working days anyway). If I get a tree it’s at least mid-December and I keep it up until New Year’s Day because that’s how my mother did it (I take it down after the Rose Parade, though that was difficult when I lived in LA since the TV stations repeat it all day long).
I have been very surprised this year to see numerous neighbors with fairly elaborate Halloween decorations. It’s almost as lit up as Christmas!
I don’t think there’s anything we can do about the creeps, I mean creeping, but ignore it and do our own thing as we wish.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 6:54 pm.
Ooh, I always like the advent countdown things. I have a tree wall hanging that’s a family heirloom, which has ornaments you pin on it for each day. I really love it.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:26 pm.
I can’t stand seeing Christmas stuff out this early. At least let us get through Halloween first! Not to mention I start to have anxiety attacks at the thought of everything there is to buy and do for Christmas. I’d rather my angst start later rather than sooner!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:06 pm.
I know what you mean. My angst definitely starts too early!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:27 pm.
I think September’s too early for Christmas decorations. We decorate for Christmas, but not that early.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:31 pm.
Neither do we!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:38 pm.
I really don’t like how early it all starts. Like someone said earlier – it takes away from the magic of it all.
However, I must admit that I did benefit from it this year. When I went to the craft store to buy supplies for my Halloween costume I got everything I needed 50% or more off because they were making room for their Christmas products!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 7:50 pm.
I was thinking about hitting the stories on Thursday to pick up some Halloween stuff cheap, but maybe I should go tomorrow!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:39 pm.
Christmas is my all time favorite holiday, but I think it is beyond tacky to start putting out decorations in stores in September. Let Halloween come first and then put them out or wait until Thanksgiving.
I decorate for Halloween and then go a little crazy with Christmas decorations. My house looks like my personal version of the Griswold house from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. At least it looks pretty reflected in the snow!!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 8:42 pm.
I wish I could see it! I love light displays. I just can’t manage them at my own house.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:40 pm.
We do decorate or Halloween, but not until the day of (mainly for fear of decorations being taken since we live in a college town and the decs are giant skulls etc) We get together as a whole family (approx 15-20 of us) the weekend before Halloween and carve pumpkins then they line my driveway on Halloween night where we all gather to TorT and dispense candy…we love it.
We also go a little over on Christmas as well. While my household doesn’t get anything up before Thanksgiving weekend, we dont do a tree before Dec. Though my oldest sister takes after my dad’s family and has her tree up the day after Halloween.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:24 pm.
That sounds very cool–the pumpkins, I mean. I’d love to see that!
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 10:41 pm.
Well, I have mixed feelings about the early X-mas shopping. But since I don’t do decorations, I’m okay with it…for the most part. The gripe that I have with the early showing is that it takes space for some other stuff that could have been what I needed to get in that certain store.
The One-That-Decorates does the decorations for the holidays. However, for Halloween, it has the min. to show the t-or-t’ers that the house has treats. As for Thanksgiving…there are X-mas decorations already up. No Thanksgiving decorations, but X-mas…with the lights in & out.
Just…bear with it. Yeah, just bear with “creepy X-masism” coming up.
Posted on October 30, 2012 at 11:36 pm.
My family stopped “celebrating” and putting up Christmas decorations and buying gifts for each other when I was 16,I am now 40. It bugs me that decorations are out so early, being put out so much earlier every year. To top it off radio stations that play Christmas music right after Thanksgiving is annoying too, especially those that play it 24/7 till Christmas Day. Yet you ask some one if they are ready for Christmas and they usually say that its “just another day” and that is sad too. Don’t get me started on Black Friday. I think over the last 20 years or so it seems that we are “burned out” when it comes to the holidays, and that’s because stores and radio/TV overwhelm us so early in the year and all at one time. August to December is just one huge shopping expedition starting with back to school and ending with Christmas. Take down those huge inflated yard decorations,use fewer lights on your house/yard,&don’t sync music to your dancing lights… simplify!
Posted on October 31, 2012 at 3:20 am.
Yes it bothers me that Christmas stuff is up in stores before Halloween is over. It’s like Thanksgiving is no longer a holiday around here.
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 10:55 am.
First of all, I refuse to listen to Christmas music until December, and we decorate and put up the tree the week before Christmas. I like to enjoy each holiday in its own time. Why rush a good thing? Love Halloween (the candy and scary movies especially), Thanksgiving (my daughter is coming home from school in D.C.) Christmas Eve, Christmas and then New Year’s eve! It’s all good.
Posted on November 1, 2012 at 9:42 pm.
It kinda bugs me that we see Christmas decorations and such earlier and earlier, but on the whole I love the entire season. And yes, it will pain many people to hear this, but I enjoy going through stores and hearing the holiday music and seeing the lights and such. I am in a family that is spread out across the country, so we generally do not do gifts, only cards. Therefore, I have no holiday stress about who gets what or how much to spend. I get a couple boxes of nice cards, some Xmas stamps and I’m good!@ It leaves me free to enjoy the season. Also, it’s kind of weird but I was a pagan for 23 years, and then I returned to the Catholic church. I am now what I would maybe call a “mutt” as far as faith, but the Christmas season in general helps remind me that somewhere around the world, other people of all kinds of faith are celebrating in their own way, and that surely binds us together in a time of peace and joy.
Posted on November 3, 2012 at 6:08 am.
I’m kinda like a hybrid when it comes to Christmas things being in stores early. If its decorations, wrapping, boxes, and the like for me to buy, I’m good with it because it reminds me to get started on those things. It helps my budget to spread those purchases around. However, I don’t like the stores all decorated for Christmas until after Halloween, preferably after Thanksgiving. I want to see stores decorated for Halloween! Play Halloween music in October; wait until mid-November to crank on the carols, if you must. And, please, someone take all the fat and calories out of candy.
Posted on November 4, 2012 at 3:34 am.