Sandy-gram

[#1]

I went to a nearby discount store to pick up the last few items for my ghoulish Halloween display when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight lighted reindeer…plus holly, garland, wrapping paper and thousands of bows.

 

Why do the stores begin displaying holiday decorations earlier and earlier each year? (Of course, I know the answer to that.) I used to think that the week after Thanksgiving was the approved time to begin thinking about the upcoming festivities.

 

Last year, my overachieving neighbor put his lights, massive snowman and rooftop Santa up the first week of November. Every time I pulled into my driveway, I saw him adding “just a couple more” strings of lights or other decorations. He’d discreetly stare at my barren eaves before waving hello and turning back to his work.

 

Okay, the hint wasn’t lost on me, but really…it’s just too early for Christmas!

Some say this makes them feel more festive, others think it turns the whole holiday into a commercial event. For me it’s a bit of both. I must admit that my tummy does a little turn as I walk through a store’s wonderland of trumpeting angels, sparkly snowflakes and festive music. But generally, the feeling’s short-lived. After a few weeks I begin to tire of all this glittering embellishment and long for normal stocked shelves of light bulbs and kitty litter.

 

And so, as I brushed aside Snoopy on his lighted doghouse, I reached for a glowing pumpkin. At least I’ll do my part—and shop for one holiday at a time this year.

[#2]

It really is insane how early the stores stock holiday items. I understand what they're trying to do from a sales standpoint, but as a customer strolling through a store, it makes me feel pressured and unable to simply enjoy the time we're in now. There was a wonderful quote by the dalai lama some time back regarding the American propensity to be so caught up in the future that we failed to enjoy the present, and at the end of the day life would simply be something we forgot to live. It's like that with the holidays. I agree with you and I for one will concentrate on pumpkins for a little while longer.

[#3]

I agree with all that's been said, but my enjoyment of my pumpkins was cut short unexpectedly. After my daughter carved them beautifully, we enjoyed them on Halloween and expected to light them up again the next evening. In the meantime, a family of deer grazed on them, destroying the carving. It really put a stop to enjoying Halloween for more than a day....

[#4]

speaking of holidays, for those who celebrate christmas and do so with a live tree, when do you buy yours? i have some friends who get theirs at the beginning of december, but my family always waited until right before christmas. pros and cons? pros: getting it early let's you celebrate the holidays longer; cons: your live tree can start dropping needles by christmas!  what do the rest of you do?

[#5]

FIrst week of December seems like the "right" time to buy a tree, never mind start listening to Christmas music and hanging decorations.  Using the tree preserving solution and making sure the water level is maintained seems to work for me.  I've never been able to avoid still finding pine needles in June, though..lol

[#6]

I have to admit that I "do" Thanksgiving because my family expects it and we enjoy the meal and the togetherness, but my heart is really into Christmas and I am so ready to jump on the Christmas bandwagon the day after Thanksgiving. Not, mind you, with the Black Friday shopping, but with the beginning of decorating. The next week or so is given over to finding a tree, putting up decorations, starting to do baking, and listening to tons of carols. My kids get a little obnoxious about not wanting to hear Christmas music but for me it's an essential part of getting into the spirit of things. Do you guys have any particular traditions that really speak to you?

[#7]

Referring back to the earlier post about the tree preserving solution, isn't that toxic for pets? I would be afraid my dogs would drink this and get terribly sick. Does anyone know if this is a danger?!

[#8]

It probably depends what's in it. The ASPCA website has this listed under the section about pets and holiday hazards: "Christmas tree water, which may contain fertilizers and bacteria that can upset the stomach if ingested."

Getting back on topic, I absolutely agree with what gardendigger had to say about appreciating the season you're in. It drives me crazy when I feel like stores and TV channels are trying to push me into getting in the mood for a holiday that's months away. It definitely makes it harder to enjoy what I'm doing in the moment.

[#9]

So true.