Time to decorate for Christmas! At least it’s what the retail stores want you to believe. It seems the holiday merchandise sneaks onto the shelves earlier every year. Hallmark traditionally introduces their new ornaments in July, but I remember when the other major retail store would at least wait until after the kids had their fill of candy to deck the aisles in red, green, silver, gold.

I was in my local Dollar Tree store today, and after I passed a couple of aisles of Halloween decorations, and candy, I saw Christmas décor had already been stocked. Christmas, I haven’t even put at the pumpkins on my desk yet. There are still a couple more weeks of summer. What happened to Thanksgiving? It got about half an aisle. On the end cap was a sign that read, “Decorate your mini tree”, with a variety of festive knick-knacks to place on the branches.

When I was growing up, I don’t remember seeing Christmas items out so early. I know holiday shopping can make or break a business fiscal budget, but are people actually buying garland, bows, signs, and little trees this early in the season? I can understand the craft stores getting ready for the holidays, because it takes some time to make those homemade gifts, and decorations, but let’s hold off a bit with the other things.

As Lucy Van Pelt told Charlie Brown, “Let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket.” As a merchandiser for a gift store, I’m well aware of the importance of the holiday shopping season, but I’m happy to say, I’ll be waiting until November to change over the store to include Christmas gift items. I’ll have some Halloween and Dia de los Muertos items, before getting set for the holidays.

I love Christmas time, especially when my family can all get together. We play games, do a sing-a-long, enjoy a delicious dinner and Santa makes a visit. I enjoy finding meaningful gifts for my relatives and friends, and sending Christmas cards. I don’t get many back, but I like the tradition of sending them out. I used to decorate the walls with cards I’d receive, but now I can barely decorate a top shelf. That does sadden me, because I used to like seeing Christmas cards among the bills and junk mail. It just puts a smile on your face when you think someone took the time to send a card to wish a Merry Christmas.

Where else have you seen Christmas on the shelves?