Is It Too Soon For Christmas Shopping?

I just saw my first Christmas TV commercial! It was for (artificial) Christmas trees. At least, the sponsor wasn't hawking "Holiday Trees!"  Yes, "the holidays are coming!"

In an age when "Back To School Sales" start in early July...and  "Halloween Stores" have been open since Labor Day...is it too early for Santa?

It used to be that the Christmas sales (the "holiday" push) started the day after Thanksgiving.

Walking around the store on Friday, if I faced one way, I saw this:

When I turned around, I saw this:

As the sign says: "Start today. Take more time to pay."

I'm no Grinch...I love Christmas! (Hey, its my birthday, after all). I understand in the present economy, everyone is doing what they can to make a sale. But, am I right that "Christmas" seems to come earlier every year? And, when is TOO early?

Your thoughts below.

Can the "All Christmas Music All-The-Time" temporary "format flips" be too far away?

Some radio station in the Midwest is going to get national press by going the All-Christmas music route by Halloween...this seems to come earlier every year, too!

Ho-Ho-Ho!