Ahhhh, memories.  I hearken back to a day when each holiday got its due.  I fondly recall my days as a young school-aged lad, making cut-out jack-o-lanterns in October, drawing around my hand to make a turkey in November – and then – in December, we’d talk about the upcoming Christmas holiday.

I know it sounds crazy, but yes – we’d talk about Christmas in December.

These days, in our consumer driven world, it seems as if retailers want to eek out as much seasonal product as possible, and often start months and months in advance of the actual holiday.  Halloween?  Go to any department store and you’ll see pumpkins, costumes, and loads of ghosts and ghouls in August.

But Christmas?  That’s the mother load.

At my big box retail store, we had our Christmas displays up and running the first week of October.

The first week of October.

We’re scheduled to get our first live Christmas trees in next week – and people will buy them.

Now, I totally understand the need for advanced planning for say, a craft store, such as Michael’s, AC Moore, or Hobby Lobby.  Crafters need a window of time to gather and complete their holiday creations.  I get it.  I’m not a fan of it, but I understand the logic behind it.

However, I don’t see any reason why there is a burning need for wrapping paper, bows, or Christmas-themed inflatables in October.  The radio stations will soon be filled with “all Christmas” music in mid-November, and the “Black Friday” shopping flyers can already be found online.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I love the Christmas season, but it has a definite window of time that is appropriate.  The day after Thanksgiving (which is still early) until Epiphany (January 6^th) –  that’s my “zone” of acceptability.  I used to know families (and still do) that don’t even decorate their tree until Christmas Eve, and in this day and age, they are looked upon as pariahs.

Look, it’s hard to build anticipation for a holiday when the level of excitement for it is expected to be maintained for almost two months.  This unnatural morphing of yuletide merriment into an event that lasts almost as long as half a season of the NHL is getting ridiculous.  I’ve seen homes with their Christmas trees up already, standing proudly in the front window.  Santa often “arrives” at some stores and events before Thanksgiving.  Doesn’t he have a toy factory to run?  If I were you, Kris Kringle, I’d be back at the shop getting things ready.  I’m sure things are ramping up with the elves.  You can’t leave everything to HR.

And poor Thanksgiving.  This wonderful holiday, which was originally intended as a gathering of friends and family, celebrating the joys and gratitude of what we have been given over the past year – has been reduced to an early dinner, football game on TV, and a long nap – in preparation for the all-night blitz of holiday shopping on “Black Friday”.  If I were Thanksgiving, I’d be more than a little miffed that my self-absorbed cousin Christmas was hogging all of the attention.

So, I’ll shake my head in wonder, Grinchily furrowing my brow as the retail landscape and homes around the area turn into a Christmas wonderland between now and Thanksgiving, refuse to listen to carols on the radio until at least November 23^rd, and try to give good ‘ol Thanksgiving its due.

Here’s to oyster stuffing and pumpkin pie!