Retailers & Christmas...A Not-so-Jolly Combo.

We could die tomorrow. Struck by lighting. Hit by a car...shocking right? The truth of the matter is, that’s life. Each day is unpredictable, scary, and ever changing. For most, you already know that simply living brings challenges. At the core of those challenges is how you respond and how you overcome the challenges presented to you.

By the time you’re reading this, you’ve probably already noticed several stores with a whole entire section already dedicated to Christmas. It actually started back in August. Did I mention it’s only October?

 As consumers, and as technology evolves, we are constantly bombarded with messages of next, next, next. The next event in our lives, the next social gathering, and of course as major department stores “one-up” each other on sales for the next holiday.

Why do we tolerate this invasion of speeding up holidays, like the sacred holiday of Christmas?

Christmas is supposed to be a time of reflection, a time of joy, a time to reminisce and heal. It is also one of the most stressful seasons for those who don’t have, those who are lonely, and those who have lost.

I lost my grandmother 5 days before Christmas 3 years ago. Although it’s a time of remembering her and reflecting on her life, my time at Christmas is spend decorating, and making others experience that same joy my grandmother always brought to our family with her spirt. The issue I have with major retailers, is the fact they are ruining every holiday on record, by pushing the holidays on us over 4 months in advance. Bringing you back to my first topic of discussion, is life is not a guarantee.

We all will pass away one day, and no one knows when their time will come. Department stores on the other hand, want you to be prepared. Prepared with “stuff,” you cannot take with you on your next journey. They might say “but you’d be ready for Christmas with all the “stuff” you bought in August.”

What does that stuff even mean to you in the long run?

 The focus of the holidays has been lost in the eyes of almost every CEO and Executive of these retail chains. While I often waited with excitement to see the new holiday decor slowly appear in early November, it is now shoved in our faces in August.

Thank you 'At Home Stores' for letting me know that December is about 2 months away. Your reminder is like a desperate little child, trying to fit at the ‘cool kids’ table.

 “You can’t sit with us.”

 It’s not fun, it’s not a joy, and it is definitely not welcomed when people are still boating and going to block parties during the last days of summer. In Michigan we have to cherish each hot summer day because we are stuck with 8 months of bad crappy and often gray weather.

Why are stores forcing these habits, earlier and earlier on to consumers?

Being in the Christmas decorating business it often frustrates me that in late November, I usually have to drive to 5 different Home Depot’s just to find led white lights, something you would think would be a common item to buy in the month of November and December. A well month in advance at a place like Home Depot.

While I am huge fan and supporter of Home Depot, this is just another bad example of how major retailer are sucking the life and holiday spirit out of us. Truthfully if I knew I could purchase these items when I actually was going to be installing them, it would be a less stress free holiday, as it should be.

No one wants to start thinking about or celebrating the holidays, 3, 4, (almost 5) months early.

I often feel like it’s a form of mind control that these stores are playing on us each year.

The absurd rushing around to different stores in October to make sure they we all can buy the lights, decorations and items that we need for the outside of our homes, should not even be a thought.

While kids are about to be trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins, parents shouldn’t have to be thinking about the next big holiday, like Christmas.

What major retailers and corporations are doing to the general public and families, is a huge problem.

 Not living in the moment is a huge problem. It creates a reality of living for a moment that has yet to happen. Not enjoying life now as it stands has to be one of the worse things you can do for yourself. It is in these moments, especially at Christmas time, that we can be with our family and friends together experiencing the joys the holidays bring. Moments like these years later, you realize how special these times and memories actually were.

 A fond but not-so-funny memory at the time, was when our Turkey decided to take a leap off the counter just as it was coming out of the oven. Both my Mother and Father of course started arguing and blaming each other for the mishap as they scrambled to pick a 25-pound turkey and all of it’s juices and trimmings off the floor.

I will say that cooked turkey wrestling is most defiantly a sport, and was birthed at my house in 2007. (The actual rules for this sport, to be published at a later time.) It was one of the funniest Christmas Comedy movie moments that I’ll never forget, it also had nothing to do with “stuff” bought at a store. Though these items enhance our holidays and times together, what really brings us together, are the people we hold close to us.

We all need to start taking back our time and taking back our lives. Why do we allow stores like Home Depot, At Home Stores, Kirkland, and Hallmark stores, to force us to buy things 4 months in advance, (some earlier) for the fear of not being able to buy anything at all, during the thick of the holidays? The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, and to be a time spent with each other, not in a store.

Our focus should be on our family, friends and those less fortunate.

 My own personal story happened 3 years ago when my grandmother fell and broke her ankle out of bed in early fall. Though she was old, she was a vibrant “young-old,” and most would have never guessed her age. She always had a smile on her face and a quick wit to put you in place!

During the time she was in the hospital just before December, I remember after running around to help decorate all my clients homes, I finally had time to decorate my families house where she was staying. While rushing around to get everything I needed in November, to this day still upsets me, for the fact I was not living in the moment, seeing her as much as I could. I don’t blame department stores for their marketing tactics, but more so I blame myself for not living in the moment when I probably should have been by her side.

The following month of December, she had a bad stroke, and passed 9 days later. She never got to see the house, and beautiful decorations as I had hoped she would be surrounded by while recovering.

The fact of the matter is this, we all need to stop and take it one day at a time.

Life is not promised, and to this day I still have to remind myself that each day is a gift and tomorrow is not promised. I hope that in the future major retailer allow us to enjoy our holidays and moments because moments, especially like Christmas, are ones that we will cherish forever. 

I for one will not be setting foot in any stores that have to plaster the next major holiday 4 to 5 months in my face. The rushing of life in an ever fast paced world, will only get the better of us if we let it.

In the meantime...Dearest Home Depot and beloved At Home Stores, cease and desist! We are trying to live in the moment!