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Christmas creep

Started by ZLoth, October 24, 2024, 09:03:14 PM

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ZLoth

Yes, this is a offshoot of a thread in "Minor things that bother you", and how many of the posters are upset that they see Christmas items for sale around the end of summer. From what I heard from someone who works in retai, part of this is because the orders have to be placed in late January for the following Christmas season. As the items arrives, they are running out of room in the backroom and have to put the stuff out. And, it would not surprise me if the first Christmas stuff put out was the stuff that didn't sell at the end of last season Christmas season.

From my viewpoint, the only Christmas items that should be sold during the summer is those craft items that are sold at hobby shops. Otherwise, we shouldn't see the Christmas items until early November. Yet, when the 12:01 AM comes on November 1st, thats the time some stations put on the non-stop Christmas music for two months. This Christmas creep, to me, is making Christmas feel less special so that by December 24th comes, we are Chrimstmas-ed out.

One thing that burns me out during the holiday season is the absolute need to get some "something" and trying to come up with a physical item which, more often than not, is a useless bauble that just collects dust. I live in a much smaller house, so I have to be careful on what I collect. Yes, Virginia, there is a difference between a $10 item and a $20 item. For a while I gave DVD/BluRays of movies to my friend, but alas, physical media collecting is a niche hobby now. You are much better gifting me a Amazon, Steam, Lowes, Home Depot, Target or Walmart gift card to help offset the cost a more expensive item that I really need. Yes, I'm told that gift cards (formerly gift certificates) is a sign of "thoughtless giving".

Don't Drive Distrac... SQUIRREL!


hotdogPi

I haven't seen any creep. It's been this way my entire life.
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Big John


LilianaUwU

#3
This makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.
"Volcano with no fire... Not volcano... Just mountain."
—Mr. Thwomp

My pronouns are she/her. Also, I'm an admin on the AARoads Wiki.

TheHighwayMan3561

Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People now largely tolerate the holiday, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I make Poiponen look smart

LilianaUwU

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.
"Volcano with no fire... Not volcano... Just mountain."
—Mr. Thwomp

My pronouns are she/her. Also, I'm an admin on the AARoads Wiki.

TheHighwayMan3561

Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.

But I mean, they take it down as quickly as possible because they're just done with it. They're done with two months of being bombarded with ads and music and commercialism, and just want it to go away.
I make Poiponen look smart

LilianaUwU

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:27:41 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.

But I mean, they take it down as quickly as possible because they're just done with it. They're done with two months of being bombarded with ads and music and commercialism, and just want it to go away.
Yeah. If people put up those decorations in early December, then we'd be more inclined to leave them up until the festivities are actually over, and we wouldn't take them down at the first occasion.
"Volcano with no fire... Not volcano... Just mountain."
—Mr. Thwomp

My pronouns are she/her. Also, I'm an admin on the AARoads Wiki.

Molandfreak

Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.
Orthodox Christmas is on the 7th, and many other cultures don't give gifts until the 6th.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on December 05, 2023, 08:24:57 PMAASHTO attributes 28.5% of highway inventory shrink to bad road fan social media posts.

Rothman

Quote from: Molandfreak on October 24, 2024, 10:53:57 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.
Orthodox Christmas is on the 7th, and many other cultures don't give gifts until the 6th.

Heh.  Russians loved celebrating both sets of holidays when I lived there.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

Max Rockatansky

#10
Many of you invest way too much time pondering over when Christmas season items are sold.

Henry

Just one week before Halloween, and I haven't seen much Christmas items anywhere. But that's definitely going to change once the trick-or-treating is over and done, like it's always been.
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!

SEWIGuy

Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:27:41 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.

But I mean, they take it down as quickly as possible because they're just done with it. They're done with two months of being bombarded with ads and music and commercialism, and just want it to go away.


I think you are guilty of reflecting on how you felt about the holiday as a child versus now that you're an adult.

Rothman

Quote from: Max Rockatansky on October 24, 2024, 11:29:32 PMMany of you invest way too much time pondering over when Christmas season items are sold.

Every party's gotta have a pooper...

That said, there's no fighting capitalism, and Christmas is its mascot.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

SEWIGuy

After this election season, I can't tell you how much I look forward to Christmas ads on my television.

epzik8

So essentially, at least to a small extent, early Christmas displays are practical.
From the land of red, white, yellow and black.
____________________________

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1995hoo

"Christmas creep" has me envisioning some dude dressing up in a Santa suit and sneaking into people's houses to watch the women changing clothes.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

1995hoo

#17
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.

We always leave things up and lit through and including January 6 (the traditional date of the Epiphany*). They may stay up for a while after for practical reasons—for example, this coming January 6 is on a Monday, so the stuff will be up at least until the following weekend—but nothing will be lit after that date. Oftentimes we take it all down over the three-day Martin Luther King weekend (obviously not an issue for you in Canada) simply because the extra day makes it a convenient time to do so.

*"The traditional date of the Epiphany" referring to how in the dioceses in the United States the observance of said solemnity has been transferred to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

Max Rockatansky

Quote from: 1995hoo on October 25, 2024, 09:33:26 AM"Christmas creep" has me envisioning some dude dressing up in a Santa suit and sneaking into people's houses to watch the women changing clothes.

So basically the Grinch with a modern slant to his crimes?

Rothman

Quote from: 1995hoo on October 25, 2024, 09:36:38 AM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.

We always leave things up and lit through and including January 6 (the traditional date of the Epiphany*). They may stay up for a while after for practical reasons—for example, this coming January 6 is on a Monday, so the stuff will be up at least until the following weekend—but nothing will be lit after that date. Oftentimes we take it all down over the three-day Martin Luther King weekend (obviously not an issue for you in Canada) simply because the extra day makes it a convenient time to do so.

*looks for the asterisked footnote*
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

1995hoo

Quote from: Rothman on October 25, 2024, 12:04:08 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on October 25, 2024, 09:36:38 AM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:24:21 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan3561 on October 24, 2024, 09:23:15 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on October 24, 2024, 09:13:07 PMThis makes me think... as for why I changed my mind from wanting decorations up ASAP to not wanting anything to do with it until the week before, it's probably because I grew up. Christmas is just another day for me now, maybe with a gift or two. It's still fun to put up the tree, though.

As for the radio, whenever I was the host of my rock show at CFIM-FM, I made sure to be a safe haven of sorts from Christmas music until pretty much the Saturday before.

See, this is the thing. People largely tolerate it, and no longer celebrate it. Theo when it hits 12:01 on December 26, people can't rip their stuff down and delete the music from their playlists and memories fast enough like it never happened.
I'd say it's fine to leave decorations up until maybe January 2 or 3, but no more.

We always leave things up and lit through and including January 6 (the traditional date of the Epiphany*). They may stay up for a while after for practical reasons—for example, this coming January 6 is on a Monday, so the stuff will be up at least until the following weekend—but nothing will be lit after that date. Oftentimes we take it all down over the three-day Martin Luther King weekend (obviously not an issue for you in Canada) simply because the extra day makes it a convenient time to do so.

*looks for the asterisked footnote*

D'oh. Thanks. I forgot. I'll go back and edit it.
"You know, you never have a guaranteed spot until you have a spot guaranteed."
—Olaf Kolzig, as quoted in the Washington Times on March 28, 2003,
commenting on the Capitals clinching a playoff spot.

"That sounded stupid, didn't it?"
—Kolzig, to the same reporter a few seconds later.

Scott5114

Quote from: SEWIGuy on October 25, 2024, 07:07:17 AMAfter this election season, I can't tell you how much I look forward to Christmas ads on my television.

With Christmas starting to seep past Election Day, it's only a matter of time until they cross-pollinate and you get political ads with Donald Trump dressed as Santa and a half-dozen Republican senators as his reindeer.
uncontrollable freak sardine salad chef

Life in Paradise

One thing that I don't miss is the old Ronco commercials (you tell your age if you remember) and then near the end the "Deck the Walls" jingle comes in with "and they make great/perfect Christmas gifts".

02 Park Ave

#23
I turn on my Christmas decorations and mail my Christmas cards on the Third Sunday of Advent (15 December this year) and turn them off late on Twelfth Night (05 January).

That is the Christmas season for me.
C-o-H

english si

#24
Quote from: ZLoth on October 24, 2024, 09:03:14 PMYes, this is a offshoot of a thread in "Minor things that bother you", and how many of the posters are upset that they see Christmas items for sale around the end of summer. From what I heard from someone who works in retai, part of this is because the orders have to be placed in late January for the following Christmas season. As the items arrives, they are running out of room in the backroom and have to put the stuff out. And, it would not surprise me if the first Christmas stuff put out was the stuff that didn't sell at the end of last season Christmas season.
In my nearest big supermarket we get Christmas stuff just after Easter - they have a seasonal aisle and whenever there's not a big event to fill it up, it tends to be whatever they have in stock that would go there. It's not more than 10ft of shelving, sharing the aisle with summer stuff and general stuff they have on offer. Come mid-May, and the summer stuff pushes the Christmas stuff mostly back to the warehouse. As soon as September begins, both the summer stuff and the Back to School stuff start running down, and ~10 days later the Christmas stuff has a brief 3-week burst of taking up most of the aisle before the Fall festival stuff (Halloween, but also Diwali and Bonfire Night) pushes it back into just a small area. From this morning the amount of Christmas stuff in the store will grow bigger and bigger all the way until a couple of days before Christmas. I can't remember when the decorations go up - as our store is where they set it up properly and bring managers from all over to show them how to do it, some have already been up this year. It's normally not until after Remembrance Sunday, but it might not be until December, even though by the 11th of November that whole seasonal aisle, and quite a few other bits will be Christmas-themed.

It used to be that you could buy tokens during the other 11 months that you cash in in December and get a bonus (this current card-based scheme is similar) so you spread at least some of the cost of Christmas across the year rather than have a big bill in one month. Now it's more typical to buy the longer-life products slowly over the year to keep cashflow more even - hence why Christmas stuff is on the shelves most of the year: people buy enough of it for it to make sense.

The music won't start until December 1st here. We don't really do Black Friday to have as a start-of-season date, so we get 10-15 extra days over the US before Whamageddon. But I've had Christmas adverts from the start of the month (the main splurge of big ones will be premiering over the next couple of weeks), so while shopping is safe, watching TV isn't!

And I'm sat here with Santa on my screen (watching the Hallowe'en film The Nightmare before Christmas - and yes, it is Hallowe'en, not Christmas, as quite a few cinemas near me are showing it this evening and none will at Christmas).



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