Too Soon

I get it.  Retailers need to have something to push sales and the longer the ramp up the more sales they can generate.  Halloween is over.  Veterans Day does have much of a sales hook, and Thanksgiving isn't much better.  Stores want to start the Christmas season as early as possible.

So from Target to Home Depot to the grocery store as soon as the Halloween candy and decorations are clearanced and moved out in came the end of the year holiday merchandise.  (As an aside, I thought Halloween appeared to soon as well.  Most people don't need more than a week to get Halloween rolling.  Having that holiday hit the stores as soon as Back to School disappears is way too soon too - and I swear Back to School merch started to appear before the end of July.)

We just don't need this urgency to get to the next thing.  We've been swallowed whole by a holiday merchandising cycle that has little to do with the actual holiday and everything to do with maximizing sales.  If the items get on the shelf earlier maybe you'll take on an extra project, or maybe you'll use up the thing (or eat the candy) before the holiday happens and have to buy more.

Walking into the home center on November 1st to a full display of trees and holiday yard decorations was really jarring.  Also, not for nothing, but this warp forward is worse than the others because it is a hard charge into bad weather.  Maybe it doesn't have that impact in fairer climate areas, but in a place that gets snow and cold weather, seeing Christmas decorations on the shelves is also saying that it is time to find your cold weather clothes, break out the snowblower, pack up the patio.  I really want more time in the sun.  Let me rake some leaves.  I'd like the top of the season animal to see its shadow and give me six more weeks of summer.

I am willing to make some exceptions.  Micheal's and JoAnn can put their stuff out earlier.  These stores are about people that need that lead time.  If you are crafting costumes or decorations you might actually need 6-8 weeks and you will need someplace to get your supplies.  I'm also grudgingly willing to give in on Costco (and Sam's Club).  Costco always seems to be nearly a full season ahead.  I guess people that buy in bulk also plan ahead.  I don't necessarily agree with it, but it is sort of central to their brand.

But the rest of you stores, you can do better. The holiday shopping season begins with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.  A month is plenty of time.  Don't make me rush into an 8 week wait.