I spotted them immediately after exiting my car in the parking lot at the Sterling, IL, Kohl’s on Monday, October 15, 2012: four red and gold, sparkling trees in the front windows. The date is significant, because–apparently–this was the first day of the 2012 Christmas season.
Matching swags with gold bows, wreaths, and garlands decorated every department. In several aisles, so convenient for “stocking-stuffer” impulse buying, I noted Christmas items for sale. There were candles, themed photo frames, and the ever-promoted holiday sets of jewelry, perfume, and men’s colognes. I did not peruse kitchen linens, but I believe I would have found Christmas dishtowels in a variety of seasonal designs.
Please know I resisted these and bought picture frames that will be suitable the entire year.
I scolded the checkout associate for the early display of Christmas decor. This person, too, was dismayed, having left work with the mellowness of fall reigning inside the workplace. Overnight the season shifted and leap-frogged over Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Others have mentioned this annoying marketing ploy. We realize stores are in a competitive frenzy to be the first to get consumers’ dollars, two months before a one-day, December event. I feel manipulated, being urged to shop continually for Christmas during October, November, and December.
Here is something the store owners or corporate leaders may not realize. I shop for “Christmas” all year round, when I find a bargain. Two days before the Monday trip to Kohl’s, I had wrapped nearly a dozen holiday gifts. No one needs to decorate a store for Christmas to motivate me to buy for Christmas.
Dear Merchants: Let me enjoy my favorite season–autumn–with its
- warmth of color
- long shadows
- mild temperatures
- fall produce, pumpkins, Indian corn, and apples
- whimsical Halloween parades, Beggars’ Night at Heritage Canyon, and Trick-or-Treating
- family, friends, fine food, football, and the Macy’s Parade on Thanksgiving.
Then, I would be so eager to see the Christmas decor appear the day after Thanksgiving. Perhaps you could allow the beautiful items to linger until January 1 for those after-Christmas sales, and leave Valentine’s Day decor in the box for a few weeks.
