Yesterday afternoon I got an email that absolutely infuriated me. I knew when I saw the subject line that I wasn’t going to like the body of the email, but I clicked through anyway. As soon as I read the first few lines, I was screaming at my computer screen. My coworkers were scared. What was the email? It was this. A freaking CHRISTMAS ad in SEPTEMBER. My delicate sensibilities are offended!
This is the point where I have to be all, Oh, la la la, Christmas is awesome. And yeah, it is. But seriously? Christmas in SEPTEMBER? I don’t like it one bit.
Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. I’m sure I’ve written about that before. But I just don’t get why everyone is in such a hurry to make it disappear. What’s the rush for winter? Fall has turning leaves, brisk but not cold weather, Football, Baseball play offs, sweaters, apple cider, my list could go on forever. But my FAVORITE part of fall are the holidays and special days. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Madeline’s birthday, Mike’s birthday, my nephew’s birthday, our anniversary…all are events we look forward to for 364 days. So I get MORE than a little annoyed when retailers, malls, etc start advertising Christmas before the freaking end of Back to School month, completely ignoring this truly wonderful season.
Sure, winter has its positives. Christmas, New Year’s Eve and day, college bowl games, snow, hot chocolate. But the cons are NUMEROUS. Like, IT’S INSANELY FREAKING COLD. Everyone is depressed because the holidays are over. And my least-favorite of all the holidays (Valentine’s day) is in the winter. And IT’S INSANELY FREAKING COLD. Cold weather = FAIL.
In my house (and, uh, Mike’s house by default) we follow the good ol’ fashioned calendar. That means, Halloween decorations go up October 1st. Thanksgiving decorations go up November 1st. And Christmas decorations, Christmas music, and Christmas spirit can come out to play the day after Thanksgiving. Why is this so novel these days?
Seriously, I really do love Christmas. I love turning on the radio and hearing Christmas songs 24 hours a day. Rudolph and Frosty cartoons. I love singing Christmas songs. When Maddie was in the NICU, I sang her Christmas carols constantly. I can’t wait to sing her those songs again. AFTER THANKSGIVING.
Why do we have to rush things? Why can’t we just enjoy each day as it comes? Why can’t I watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown without a Christmas commercial. Why can’t we just eat pumpkin pie every day of October and November while it’s still socially acceptable to eat several delicious pies every week, smothered in whipped cream? Mmmmmmmm…..whipped cream and pie….
I sometimes think that by the time Madeline is my age, Christmas will be celebrated 365 days a year. I think that’s terrible. And if that makes me a Grinch, then I’ve got garlic in my soul.
PS go read my other post! Do it! DO IT! I promise you’ll laugh.
Joe says:
I hate the commercialization of Christmas. Ugh. If I got that email, I’d be pissed too. I don’t know why these companies feel the nee – OH WAIT… LEGO IPOD DOCKS!!?!?! *click*
Joes last blog post..Let’s do a shot!
Lee Anne says:
I completely agree with you. And when they start the Christmas stuff early it makes Christmas seem less special.
Sheila says:
Yes, Christmas is cheapened when it’s pushed this early. When you go into a KMart and see Halloween stuff being pushed aside and trees going up, it makes it feel cheap.
Sheilas last blog post..3 Word Thursdays #1
Ms. Moon says:
And just imagine if you, like me, hated Christmas with every cell in your body.
Every freaking thing about it- I hate. And here we are, October 2, and the stores are full of it, promising three full months (one quarter of a year) of being reminded that the season which brings me the most sorrow and bile is upon us.
Ms. Moons last blog post..What’s Your Definition Of Monster?
Zellmer says:
You’re so right. Fall is Heaven. Why do people have to fuck with it like that? So rude. Happy Halloween! I look forward to a photo of Madeline in her costume.
Zellmers last blog post..A foreshadowing memory
preTzel says:
Your post? (That one at mom2) Was hilarious! Although I think you should have added that Dave’s VP asked “What’s the difference between a cheerleader and a bong smoker? The lipstick!” We all know that bong smokers don’t wear lipstick.
Halloween displays/candy were going up the very last of August/1st of September here. Our local WhoreMart (aka WalMart) has Christmas stuff up already. Where is the Thanksgiving stuff?
The air here is cold/crisp and perfect for an outdoor fire, marshmallows, and hot cider with fresh cinnamon sticks. Yum!~
preTzels last blog post..The Blog Post You DO NOT Want To Miss!
Anissa@Hope4Peyton says:
Wow, you are made of the smart today! Between the two posts I think I have a little spohr high going on. I must go lay down now.
Go RAYS!
Anissa@Hope4Peytons last blog post..Me and Oprah, we’re like THIS!
Danes says:
Here, here!!! I couldn’t agree more and I’m a CHRISTMAS baby.
Em says:
I seriously think I am about to have an axiety attack. Christmas commercials and arriving catalogs means I have to deal with the “juggle the extended family BS” that comes with the Holidays. Can’t I just enjoy Halloween?
Sigh. Make it stop!
Em
Ems last blog post..Hello? Is that al-qaeda on the line?
Danes says:
Oh, and the most annoying thing about all of this Christmas hype – when it finally DOES roll around it’s not even politically correct to say, “Merry Christmas” to people! GAAAAAAAH.
Danes says:
Here, here!! I couldn’t agree more and I’m a CHRISTMAS baby….
Oh, and the most annoying thing about all of this Christmas hype – when it finally DOES roll around it’s not even politically correct to say, “Merry Christmas” to people! GAAAAAAAH.
daddy dan says:
As a fellow Fall/Autumn lover I completely agree with you. And we put up our Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas decorations the same dates you do. I guess we’re just old-fashioned like that.
Shireen says:
Amen sistah! I may or may not have yelled at some unspecting Target employee (who was all of 15 years old) when I rounded the corner and BAM! right next to Halloween aisles were Christmas cards. An entire aisle of Christmas cards…in September! Sorry dude. But seriously!
maya says:
So just imagine seeing all the wonderful christmas stuff for months and not partaking in it’s gift receiving glory? I mean, Chanukka is great if your a kid- getting 8 nights of presents, but you dont have a tree, and you dont get presents from everyone you know! I guess at the end of the day, I also dont have to buy EVERYONE and their MOTHER gifts, so I win.
BTW- I love Halloween- but again, wasnt allowed to participate! I am so dressing up this yr and going to the parade!
mayas last blog post..Long time no post
Kristin says:
I completely agree…when I saw school supplies out right after 4th of July I about puked in the aisle. And you know the Christmas candy will be the day after Halloween..or sooner. ugh. We follow the same decorating time frames as you…not sure what everyones rush is
Rachel says:
I’m with you! I was in Macy’s this weekend (September 25! A whole 3 months before Christmas!) and they have a whole Christmas section! And people were taking pictures standing in front of the over-decorated Christmas trees! We are celebrating Christmas for 1/4 of the year now?! NO WRONG FAIL.
Amy says:
It drives me crazy too! I can’t stand feeling pressured to Xmas shop NOW!
I also despise Valentine’s day! So happy to find someone who shares my dislike for that day! People always think I am wierd for not enjoying that particular “holiday”.
Kristin says:
I hate that the holidays lose their magic by being pushed on us too soon. ugh.
FALL is here.
Oh and hooray to our teams!
Kristins last blog post..NO NO NO!
LiteralDan says:
Isn’t it a little early for a Christmas post?
LiteralDans last blog post..Classic quotes, Vol. 8
Loretta says:
I, too, love the Fall season but, with it being 100 degrees in Phoenix today, it’s kinda hard to enjoy it right now. I was shocked when I saw Halloween/Harvest things in stores in July!!!! Oh, and let’s not forget the Hallmark Christmas ornament extravaganza in July!!!!
Lorettas last blog post..LEAST WE FORGET…..
Jen says:
I completely agree with you!
But I just wanted to comment to say that I thought of you today because I went to Target on my lunch break!!!!!
Jens last blog post..Some shameless exploitation
Raging Dad says:
There are few things as offensive as Christmas ads in September. For me, I loath back to school shopping in June.
Raging Dads last blog post..Just what is Sonny up to?
Issa says:
I completely agree with you. I adore holidays, except valentines day too, but I saw Christmas stuff up in August and that is just wrong.
Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING says:
I think retailers are a bit panicked (how do you spell that?) for one. Also, they are just doing what they always do – trying to get you and me to buy for a longer spell, therefore, spending more.
I can’t imagine that they are getting much in the way of sales for any of that stuff yet, can you?
KEEP BELIEVING
PS. I seriously was not trying to be snarky yesterday on Meg’s post. I was referring to the Obama politics (entertaining and fluffy), not your post. Your post was creative and fun to read. Sorry for that confusion. Meg told me that since you didn’t know me, you wouldn’t get my sarcasm, and it came across as an insult, so I wanted to personally apologize. I assumed since I let my political views be known so often on AMOMTWOBOYS that everyone knew I was referring to Obama and not you.
Angie @ KEEP BELIEVINGs last blog post..kids today …how good they have it
zandor says:
Christmas definately needs to wait until the day after Thanksgiving. At my house as soon as it is the day after we are totally Christmas. Before that we aren’t.
zandors last blog post..School:Hard. Bad People: Don’t deserve help?
Maria says:
Target has their Christmas stuff up. I almost shit myself when I saw that.
I love the Fall the most too. I’m so excited to have a baby this time of year.
Marias last blog post..and don’t get me started on Kenley
Tara says:
Although you know me and know very well that I LOVE Christmas, even I am surprised at the Christmas-in-September phenomenon. I admit that I cheat a little (like maybe a little Christmas music in November?) but this is just way too early!!!
Tara says:
P.S. You would eat jam cookies any time of year…admit it!
Bonnie says:
Agreed. I went to a store today to look for Halloween decorations and they had NONE because they had moved them all out to make room for Christmas decorations. I just stood there, wondering if I could punch the manager in the face, and get out before anyone figured out what happened.
Kymmi says:
Hey I’m with you – BUT – don’t you live in Southern CA? What is this “insanely freaking cold” that you refer to? Would that be when it gets down to 55F?
Jeanne says:
Hi,
I just found your website through another and thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adorable daughter Maddie. I have a 18 year old daughter who was born 11 weeks premature as well, 15 inches long and 3 pounds 4 ounces. I had many of your same perinatal issues (premature rupture of membranes – with leaking only at home, of course!), bed rest from 23 weeks on, etc. etc. combined with complete placenta previa and lots of bleeding (not what you want to see when you’re pregnant!). Anyhow, Rachel was a very healthy preemie and left the hospital at only 28 days old (4 lbs, 4 oz) and is now a healthy, beautiful, smart, college freshman. Our pediatrician said all along that she would never reach a height over five feet, but she now stands a statuesque (ha ha) 5’4′! I’ve sort of “forgotten” about her less-than-normal start in life, and your website reminded me just how lucky we are! Enjoy your baby – they grow up very quickly!!!!
Jeanne says:
Hi,
I just found your website through another and thoroughly enjoyed reading about your adorable daughter Maddie. I have a 18 year old daughter who was born 11 weeks premature as well, 15 inches long and 3 pounds 4 ounces. I had many of your same perinatal issues (premature rupture of membranes – with leaking only at home, of course!), bed rest from 23 weeks on, etc. etc. combined with complete placenta previa and lots of bleeding (not what you want to see when you’re pregnant!). Anyhow, Rachel was a very healthy preemie and left the hospital at only 28 days old (4 lbs, 4 oz) and is now a healthy, beautiful, smart, college freshman. Our pediatrician said all along that she would never reach a height over five feet, but she now stands a statuesque (ha ha) 5’4′! I’ve sort of “forgotten” about her less-than-normal start in life, and your website reminded me just how lucky we are! Enjoy your baby – they grow up very quickly!!!!
Rebecca says:
i completely agree with you. here in nz we don’t celebrate many of those holidays (thanksgiving, halloween) and christmas comes in summer. BUT every year the lead up to christmas comes earlier and earlier. what’s the hurry. christmas is only good if you take a low key approach, if your family is healthy and happy and there’s enough money to go around. if you are poor, there’ s illness or stress or if you feel dragged into a consumer nightmare it’s no fun at all.
this year with all that’s been going on for us i am hoping for the family together, happy and healthy with good food and some relaxing time. presents be damned!
i hope after thanksgiving and halloween when you guys get to celebrate your holidays in the order you’re supposed to you have a lovely time together. that’s all that matters.
Kristabella says:
I hate that it gets earlier and earlier every year that they start with the Christmas ads. It used to be before Thanksgiving, now before Halloween. Soon it will be coming out before Labor Day.
I hate winter. I’m in no hurry to rush to it.
Kristabellas last blog post..I Have Nothing To Say
Bethany says:
I completely hear you. Whatever season it is, the stores try to rush us to the next one. I try SO hard not to listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but usually I give in a bit earlier. Can’t wait…but at the same time I am really enjoying this fall!
Bethanys last blog post..Another fall hike
stephanie says:
I’m so with you about hating how the holidays are pushed and rushed and uggghhh. Who cares about Halloween when it’s still Easter?!?! There’s a whole summer to get through.
stephanies last blog post..The Child Without A Sense of Humor