How Early Is Too Early For Holiday Cheer?

Every year around this time The New Hartford Fire Department does a fantastic job dressing up their landmark building with multicultural decorations. Some might say, "Hey! it's too early for that!" But is it? Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away and it's usually after Turkey Day that people start getting into the true Holiday spirit. Not only are the holidays swiftly approaching, but the cold weather is as well.

Andy Cash

A lot of people look at this time of year as the perfect time to "Deck The Halls" so they can get it done before the snow comes. Other people would say that it's far too early to be thinking about decorating for Christmas. It's not just the decorating of homes that has begun. Retail stores have begun playing their Holiday Music and have Holiday displays already up in their aisles. People generally complain more about early music playing than decorations but overall it is a hot topic amongst friends, family, and co-workers.

The answer for the early Holiday marketing for businesses is simple. It's all about the money. The National Retail Federation Foundation says that they expect,

holiday sales to increase 4.1% in 2014, a healthy gain over last holiday season’s 3.1% increase. Sales in November and December can account for as much as 30% of a retailer’s annual sales, and make up nearly 20% of the industry’s annual $3.2 trillion.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, retailers made slightly less than $600 Billion in sales last Holiday Season and that amount has increased exponentially since 2008. This may have something to do with the "Black Friday" sales beginning earlier and earlier.

At any rate the Holidays are almost here and the way I see it you have two options. You can complain about it or you can try your best to put up with it and enjoy the holidays in spite of the over-commercialization of them. Either way I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or a Happy Kwanza!