With more and more people buying online, I'd think the in-store retailers and trying to reclaim some of their share with early sales. But then again, my mom and most of her generation has Christmas shopping completed before Halloween - and has for YEARS - so she can enjoy other aspects of the season. As for me, Christmas shopping is like a contact sport and I love all the hustle and bustle.

I see you have a grasp of this man/woman thing! :)

Okay, you know what, Rex? This is a simple, noncontroversial question, and every one of your comments has been snarky and rude for no reason whatsoever. Gail was polite enough to ignore the snark. I won't be. Be respectful.

I did all mine during the after Christmas sales last year.

I think it's fine for craft stores, etc. to advertise now because it takes time to make like the Christmas quilts and sweaters. I've seen ads for like Walmart & Kmart's layaways saying you can put toys & electronics on layaway, but no mention of the "C" or "H" words. That's fine. But one of their competitors has an ad with snow, Christmas lights and jingle bells already. That's too much for me to handle mid-October when I'm still struggling to put away my flip-flops.

If a store puts out Christmas paraphenalia even before Halloween has come and gone, I simply don't shop there. And that's a 'me' thing.

With things being as rough as they are this year and last, I don't begrudge an extended "Season of Joy" on display, a preview if you will. But if radio starts playing nonstop now, I will go ballistic!

AS a side note I MUST say though that last year, during the "season" I saw many drivers let opposing traffic make left turns on Hamilton Mill road. I really HOPE I see that again this year...
(I know I HAVE a dream)

The commercialization of any holy holiday makes me sick. We no longer participate in any way other than meals and time together with friends and family. It's a HUGE relief to not feel pressured to shop for gifts. We make charitable donations instead. However, we have friends with businesses who count on holiday sales to make their income meet up to their needs, so, despite my disdain for the practice, I can see why it is important to many.

We run a Charity that helps families with Christmas & we are receiving 20 calls a day at Least & havent even begun taking applications,we dont start that until November 1st but Christmas is already worrying ALOT of parents we expect over 1000 kids this year just in our area in need of Christmas Assistance twice as many as last year.Angels with Faith Ministries Christmas Angels Program http://angelswithfaithministries.beep.com

The greater question is, are these early shoppers also preparing and making plans early to celebrate Christmas for the real Reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ?

I wait until the last minute... It the excitement of the holiday's.

I agree Elizabeth.