Last October, as I was running around trying to put together a costume for Halloween, I noticed a jolly, large man looming over my shoulder: Santa Claus. The figurine stood in the store window greeting all of the Halloween guests, just a two months early. But then 2006 came around. Today is only in the second week of September, a mere week after Labor Day, and already I have spotted Christmas decorations.
It seems that every year, the Christmas merchandise goes up earlier. Correct me if I am wrong, but both Halloween and Thanksgiving come before Christmas. This leaves the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas solely for the decorations to be sold and put up.
I appreciate good decorations as much as the next person, but I don’t appreciate the fact that I can buy all of my holiday decorations in September. Where is the suspense and allure of the first day of cold weather' Starbucks has the right idea with their holiday cups- wait until it is after Halloween and it actually gets cold. The debut of those little red holiday cups are what bring me joy now, not the ubiquitous holiday decorations at department and craft stores.
Perhaps stores feel that if they get in on the market early, they will be more successful. In 2004, Americans spent about $8 billion on Christmas and Hanukah decorations. According to the Direct Marketing Association, two-thirds of American homes spend an average of $100 buying decorations. This just may be enough to lure stores into early decorating, but is it practical to take up display space for four months on a fake tree and painted figurines'
The Direct Marketing Association also states that winter holiday decorations give people an emotional lift and put them in the mood to celebrate. Plenty of other things can put people in the mood to celebrate as well, and maybe stores should explore some of the other holidays. Having a day off for Labor Day would cause celebration for me.
As the holidays approach, it is good to begin to think about what to get your loved ones and how to decorate your room, but having holiday decorations up when school has just started is just mean to students. We have so much to do before we reach the holidays, and I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to wear a sweater right now.
So, are the winter holidays really permeating the month of September' Granted, white linen isn’t allowed after Labor Day, but winter whites certainly aren’t allowed this time of year either.
Sara Tabor is a senior in Peabody College.
