Whatever happened to the Christmas season?

[golfgal]

Another thought-is it really all that bad to have Christmas last a little longer. I realize the stores focus on the commercial side of Christmas but the feeling and good will around the holiday season is a good thing so why not stretch it out as long as possible??

 

[bicker]

I don't get it do the retail stores really need the money that bad and with our economy being like it is do they expect them to come in droves with money in hand?

That's actually the main reason most of them exist.

I wish for my childrens sake we could go back to those days of waiting until after Thanksgiving and have the true meaning of Christmas come back to us all celebrating the birth of Jesus, celebrating the love for our families and gift giving from the heart.

Christmas is not my holiday, but I think there are a lot of people who would like to see an end to the rampant consumerism that pervades the societies of the developed nations, except as it contributes to their own personal livelihood or personal satisfaction, or that of friends, family, neighbors, their community, state, and/or nation. That's really the quandary with regard to commercialism -- we want the benefits of consumerism, both from a financial standpoint and from the standpoint of what consumer products offer us in terms of utility and enjoyment, but we don't want the disadvantages of consumerism.

 

[Chicago526]

In defence of those that put the xmas lights up early, I'd like to point out that in cold weather climates its' much easier to do this in the more mild weeks of early november. Around here, the cold winter winds (and occasional light dusting of snow) isn't unusual on T-day weekend, and it can make putting out the outdoor lights down right misserable. Now, this doesn't mean you have to turn them on at night, but I can certainly understand puting them on the house a bit early, espeically if there is a really nice weekend to do it. DH was tempted to do it two weekends ago, it was SO nice out. But he got lazy so it will be done T-day weekend, we'll just have to hope for nice weather.

All that said, I think it's what we make of it. I remember seeing Christmas stuff in stores before Halloween when I was a child (so 20-25 years ago) and complaining to my mother that it wasn't even halloween yet, why was the xmas stuff out? So this really isn't new at all. But if you don't decorate your house (except the lights! ) and don't do the Christmas shopping, and don't play carols in the car and don't pull out the Rudolf dvd's (and I agree, it was so cool to have to wait for the special each year!) then I think you still are keeping Chirstmas special, and not steam rolling over T-day either. Heck, I love fall decorations that go with t-day, I'd never want to skip over that!

Sure, the stores and tv comercials with the christmas music make it a bit harder, but it's not that hard to avoid. Just stay out of the malls and mute the tv during the breaks and keep the kids out of the chrismas dvds!

 

[golfgal]

In defence of those that put the xmas lights up early, I'd like to point out that in cold weather climates its' much easier to do this in the more mild weeks of early november. Around here, the cold winter winds (and occasional light dusting of snow) isn't unusual on T-day weekend, and it can make putting out the outdoor lights down right misserable. Now, this doesn't mean you have to turn them on at night, but I can certainly understand puting them on the house a bit early, espeically if there is a really nice weekend to do it. DH was tempted to do it two weekends ago, it was SO nice out. But he got lazy so it will be done T-day weekend, we'll just have to hope for nice weather.

All that said, I think it's what we make of it. I remember seeing Christmas stuff in stores before Halloween when I was a child (so 20-25 years ago) and complaining to my mother that it wasn't even halloween yet, why was the xmas stuff out? So this really isn't new at all. But if you don't decorate your house (except the lights! ) and don't do the Christmas shopping, and don't play carols in the car and don't pull out the Rudolf dvd's (and I agree, it was so cool to have to wait for the special each year!) then I think you still are keeping Chirstmas special, and not steam rolling over T-day either. Heck, I love fall decorations that go with t-day, I'd never want to skip over that!

Sure, the stores and tv comercials with the christmas music make it a bit harder, but it's not that hard to avoid. Just stay out of the malls and mute the tv during the breaks and keep the kids out of the chrismas dvds!

I put our lights up about 3 weeks ago and although I really want them on, we won't turn them on until after Thanksgiving. It was 65 degrees on the day I put them up, if I waiting until after Thanksgiving to put them up it might only be 20 out.

 

[C.Ann]

Living in the northeast, if anyone gets a 50 or 60 degree day in November, they would be foolish not to get outside and put their lights up then.. Plenty of time to fuss with them, make sure they're straight, etc. - without having to fight with the freezing cold.. However, just because they're "up", doesn't mean you have to turn them on until later in the season..

We used to put our Christmas tree up and decorate on Thanksgiving.. DD tends to do it a little later - sometime in December.. Either way works for me..

I really don't care for the idea of "rushing" the holidays though.. Starting right after Halloween seems to drag the Christmas season out forever and a day and by the time Christmas actually arrives, I'm bored to tears with the music, decorations, etc..

I know not everyone feels that way, but that's just my personal take on it..

 

[Micca]

Early Christmas stuff doesn't bother me.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Early Christmas stuff doesn't bother me.

Me neither. I want my tree up NOW!

 

[Aisling]

Obviously the stores want to start the Christmas season as early as possible for $$$ reasons, but I also think a lot of people are looking for joy in their lives and so putting up decorations early makes them feel good. I had a bit of a difficult year, and I'm finding myself wanting to put up my decorations now!

When I was a kid in the 60s, most people around here didn't even put up their tree and decorations until Christmas Eve as part of the festivities, and followed the idea of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Now I see trees coming down the weekend after New Years. I guess the traditional 12 days of Christmas is dead and gone.

 

[Jockaroo]

To me, Thanksgiving is a one-day occasion centered around food, family and fellowship. We tend to turn within during this holiday. The only groups profiting are grocery stores, food marts and restaurants. Christmas encompasses a "season" and is a way to share with others. Christmas is less isolating.

I do believe that the retail stores are wanting your money very badly in this tough economy. So many people I talk to do not want to charge up a storm on gifts this year due to rising interest rates, or job instability. So the pot of consumer cash is more limited. Retailers want to get their shares first. So you get the pre-Black Friday sales. I also think that retailers are stocking less merchandise this year, so when items run out, you won't find them. This Christmas season may be a make-or-break point for many retailers.

Last week, we did quite a bit of outdoor decorating because it was in the 70s where I live. Stringing lights in a T-shirt is much more pleasant than being out in the winter coat and gloves throwing a string of lights over a bush and running back inside. We did turn them on to test them, but we haven't lit them yet. Inside decorating is after Thanksgiving. We always buy Christmas gifts year-round. We have no children that we need to wait to see what the hot toy will be. Most of our Christmas purchases are made (80-90%), and I pulled gift paper and bags out of the attic last night so I could start wrapping this weekend. I like Christmas and don't mind planning and stretching out the festivities through November.

I do think too much emphasis is put on commercialism and gift giving at Christmas. I think it is the lack of commercialism that makes Thanksgiving so special to me. But I will wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving before giving any other seasons greetings.