It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (almost)

In the past couple of years or so, I've noticed that the rush to start the Holidays begins earlier and earlier every year. In the midst of Sandy recovery, there were still communities providing make up Halloween festivities this past weekend in their towns, but in most stores and malls, Santa and his elves were already setting up shop! The second Halloween approached, shelves were being cleared of Halloween merchandise and filled with winter Holiday goods instead. Only the smallest sections of "Halloween Clearance" were available this year. So what's the deal?

I remember the excitement after Thanksgiving was over when we'd head to the mall or the stores and see the decorations out officially ushering in the start of the Holiday Season. Making sure to hit all the good sales and get the best deals. After all, Santa is the last float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade! Once he arrives in Herald Square, that was always the "start" of the Holiday rush, or at least it used to be. I remember friends setting up their trees on Thanksgiving weekend with their families but now, people are setting up their trees and decor BEFORE the turkey is even on the table!

Oh and don't get me started on the Holiday music - since when do we start playing all the good Holiday tunes so early? There used to be the twenty four hours of straight Holiday tunes as part of the annual programming on some stations, but now some stations are just sticking to the jingle bell jingles as early as Thanksgiving eve. It's not even December yet people! I know there are a ton of people who love it and enjoy every second, but so early? Really? 

So, why do we start the Holidays so soon and rush them in and out without stopping to enjoy the times inbetween? Is it the economy? Are retailers so sure that if people start seeing Holidays symbols and decor out, it will put them in the mindset to buy early even before the ultimate sale days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Or how about my four year old's explanation, "Mommy, it's because it snows earlier now." Whatever the reasoning is, I wish we could could enjoy the lead up to Thanksgiving first before worrying about the Holiday rush so early.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to stop and slow down and enjoy my turkey and pie first!