Christmas Trees in the Stores Already? Why Yes!

Christmas display at Jacob Maarse in Pasadena (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)

To everything there is a season, and many of us sincerely appreciate businesses that give each calendar date timely observance.

By Jeannette Bovard

Personally, I plan to celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving thoroughly and enthusiastically before I switch my autumn décor to red and green and my mood music to Christmas carols.

And yet…I personally give a pass to select merchants and businesses that begin promoting their Christmas inventory while some of us are still on summer vacation.

Why?

1- Our large family is scattered from coast to coast. We treasure the gifts that we send and receive – a sometimes funny, sometimes frivolous tradition that no one would be willing to forego for convenience sake. To ship/mail early enough for timely service and best pricing, we must shop and gift-wrap even earlier — and make sure we have the supplies to do so.

2- I make gifts and decor. I am a Pinterest-inspired, DIY arts & craftsaholic. I need inspiration and supplies early or these pleasant and fulfilling projects will become a stressful race against time (if they are accomplished at all).

3- I host holiday gatherings. Final food shopping and preparation is the only thing any host/hostess should be concerned with as party time approaches. Pre-planning menus, decorating, and dragging out those once-a-year serving dishes from cupboards/attics/basements are so much easier done in advance. Remember – not everyone entertains only on one date. What if you are having a Christmas open house or holiday-themed party in early December?

4- I am in charge of the period-appropriate holiday décor in Fenyes Mansion at Pasadena Museum of History. Like others who decorate professionally, my deadline is early so that the “scene is set” for seasonal visitors throughout the month of December.

Christmas display at Pier 1 in Pasadena (Photo – Staff).

For these reasons, I rely on specific stores and online sources to supply me during late summer/early fall with the materials I need to inspire creativity and accomplish projects. No, I don’t want every business establishment collapsing the final three months of the year into one long push for Christmas. Yes, I do appreciate that art supply and hobby/craft stores, gourmet shops, and home décor-oriented merchants make space on their shelves for holiday-themed items before it is seasonally appropriate to do so.

Santa’s workshop is busy year ‘round, and so is mine!