Christmas and countdowns

[dimity_blue]

beachkid's daily countdown reminded me of something I was wondering about: what is going on with shops and stores?

Daily countdown? Excellent idea, in spite of the slight hint of panic it's inducing in me at the far too rapidly approaching holiday.

Christmas tree, fully decorated in the foyer of Tesco's? Terrible idea! It's the beginning of November, for crying out loud! ::stops channeling Col. Jack O'Neill:: I bought some Christmas cards from a card shop in the summer and assumed (oh foolish me) that was a mid-summer sale to get rid of old stock. Now I suspect it was a harbinger of things to come.

Tesco's have been selling cards and Christmas decorations for weeks now - and their seasonal aisle is filled with Christmas stuff, alcohol gift sets, tins of chocolate and chocolate decorations (which isn't actually so bad - but that's the chocoholic in me talking), and the like.

So I ask you: what's going on? Did someone decide to move Christmas and no one told me (in which case Beachkid's countdown is out)? Or have the stores decided to start early this year, and make us all hate Christmas by the time the day actually rolls around?

Comments

My sympathies...

[starwatcher]

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American stores have done it for years. Very disconcerting to see the Christmas stuff just across the aisle from the Halloween stuff, and it pisses me off every year. Supposedly, it's to stretch out the buying season so their customers will spend more money. However, I believe most people allocate how much they can spend, and stick fairly close to that. So, Mr. and Mrs. everyman will spend X amount of dollars on Christmas gifts and related items, whether they spend it over ten weeks or four. But the bowing to the almighty dollar (or pound) will never end.
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Re: My sympathies...

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

I suppose they hope that people will be tempted to buy more stuff on impulse, but in the end, it's just annoying. I wonder how many people end up taking on a Scrooge-like attitude because by the time Christmas Eve arrives, they're sick of the sight of tinsel?

Re: My sympathies...

[starwatcher]

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but in the end, it's just annoying.

Yes, it certainly is. I simply refuse to consider it until after Thanksgiving (end of November). But you're right; I think the over-sell actually gets more people OUT of the spirit, instead of into it.
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[katana137uk.livejournal.com]

Sainsburys have had loads of Christmas stuff for weeks!

I'm just starting to think about it now, I refuse to do so till after Half term! I'm going to order some stuff next week for the christmas cards I make. Mark and I have talked about making a list of who we are buying presents for and thinking of some ideas, but not actually done it yet LOL!

But I won't be thinking about food yet FCOL! What's the point of buying a Christmas Cake in October or November? I know they last ages but really a week or even a few days before is fine!

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Caz, Caz, Caz! ::points in horror at Caz's icon:: Stop with the Christmas icon!

I'd sooner buy a Christmas cake a few days before Christmas. Surely it'll be fresher when I come to eat it?

And what annoys me is, they put out all the stuff now, and I end up buying some things that I want, simply to make sure that I can get them before they sell out. ARGH!

[katana137uk.livejournal.com]

*chooses a current seasonal icon* ;-)

That's is so annoying when things sell out!

One of the first things I brought on-line (other than books from Amazon) was a popular doll my niece wanted. I spent hours looking for it in the shops, getting very tired and hot and bothered! Found it on-line in ten minutes and it was delivered in a couple of days!

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, the joys of online shopping! I always check out eBay now - especially for friends who are into specific fandoms. Yep, I end up buying in advance, but it's at my convenience and whenever I see items that suit come up for auction.

On the plus side, by the time December rolls around, I can sit back and make a note of all the people I've already bought for and don't have to worry about a present for. Bliss!

And thanks for the autumn leaves. Just perfect! :oD

[jessriley.livejournal.com]

I absolutely refuse and stamp my foot in a fit of stubbornness to even look at anything so called 'Christmassy' until December 1. I think retailers have zapped all the fun out of Christmas.
Flogging us to death with buy, buy, buy for 3 months must have even the kids shrugging their shoulders, looking at the jolly old fellar in the suit and saying 'not you again'

But you know what's even worse -- come February hot cross buns and easter eggs start lining the shelves!

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

Ack! It's not like they can even DO that much with Easter! But they try, oh, they try. :o\

And, I've got to be honest, I feel incredibly sorry for people with kids who are faced with pleas for the latest 'must-have' for Christmas anyway - and all this early-Christmas-in-the-shops must make it worse.