The old mall here used to have a haunted house every October – and started playing Christmas music no later than October 20. One of the hairdressers in the beauty shop near the haunted house told me that he wouldn’t mind either the screams from haunted house or the early music, but both together was a bit much. After a while, he couldn’t listen to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer without expecting to hear screams of terror.
I worked at a retail store for 8 years and oh, yuck, the Christmas music was on a loop. When the 12 Days of Christmas would come around, I would go outside or go to the restroom.
Our cable system has MusicChoice channels that play different styles of music 24/7, and one of the channels is Sounds of the Seasons. It’s been playing Halloween-themed music for the last several weeks, but while I haven’t checked yet today, I’m willing to bet that when I do it’ll be playing Christmas music.
Halloween was the last (semi) barricade (Thanksgiving barely qualifies as a speed bump anymore), so buckle up, kids: we’re in Christmas mode for the next two months.
I assume this strip is set in about the end of August. Of course, that’s in the 2023 era: this strip is from a much earlier time (though I can’t determine the year it was published :-( , so it’s probably mid-November in strip-time.
I don’t mind it so much when the decorations start appearing early because it’s nice to be reminded that something fun and festive is on the way. There is such a thing as overkill though.
There’s a pedestrian mall near me that does a tree lighting every year on the night of or the night after Black Friday. That stopped being fun when the tree went up, fully decorated, on November 1. Now, by the time of the lighting you’re so used to it you’ve forgotten it’s there.
This was originally published on November 1, 1994. Things haven’t changed much since then regarding Christmas decorations & music. If anything, it gets earlier.
LOL… Used to be the tradition to start Christmas decor and music after Thanksgiving…. Now we even have “Christmas in July” ! Too many ‘-isms’ in this world today, including commercialism..
One nice thing that I liked about living in a small university city in Spain some years ago— the stores didn’t stock Christmas decorations, or haul out the Christmas goods, until December. The city didn’t decorate their streets with lights and such until the first week of December. However, because Spain celebrates Three Kings Day on January 6, that means that Christmas trees, decorations, celebrations, and big meals continue on until January 6. If you count on your calendar, then twelve days after Christmas is January 6.
Asharah 11 months ago
Hallmark starts debuting new ornaments in July
howtheduck 11 months ago
I miss shopping malls and their massive holiday displays.
eced52 11 months ago
Couldn’t be mistaken for that.
9thCapricorn 11 months ago
Ummm….she approaches mall display crew and asks them questions? Usually people don’t notice them and walk around them.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member 11 months ago
My daughter is putting up her tree next week. Sigh
burke129529 11 months ago
The old mall here used to have a haunted house every October – and started playing Christmas music no later than October 20. One of the hairdressers in the beauty shop near the haunted house told me that he wouldn’t mind either the screams from haunted house or the early music, but both together was a bit much. After a while, he couldn’t listen to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer without expecting to hear screams of terror.
ncrist 11 months ago
lololololol
stillfickled Premium Member 11 months ago
I worked at a retail store for 8 years and oh, yuck, the Christmas music was on a loop. When the 12 Days of Christmas would come around, I would go outside or go to the restroom.
rshive 11 months ago
They could rock around the wishbone.
scpandich 11 months ago
Our cable system has MusicChoice channels that play different styles of music 24/7, and one of the channels is Sounds of the Seasons. It’s been playing Halloween-themed music for the last several weeks, but while I haven’t checked yet today, I’m willing to bet that when I do it’ll be playing Christmas music.
Halloween was the last (semi) barricade (Thanksgiving barely qualifies as a speed bump anymore), so buckle up, kids: we’re in Christmas mode for the next two months.
Captain Bars 11 months ago
My thought is that radio stations shouldn’t start playing Christmas music until at least after November 11 (Remembrance Day).
Wren Fahel 11 months ago
I have 2 really good Christmas playlists on Spotify, but I’m not touching them until the day after Thanksgiving.
Dancing Fox Premium Member 11 months ago
I’m sick of it now, leftover from last year.
Man of the Woods 11 months ago
Walmart has all there Xmas stuff out. just go to the lawn and garden area.
goboboyd 11 months ago
Normally I’d protest the early appearance of Christmas, but this year I think I need it. Going to wallow in it. Way into next year.
Foob 11 months ago
When did Gordon get a job at the mall? What happened to the garage?
khjalmarj 11 months ago
I assume this strip is set in about the end of August. Of course, that’s in the 2023 era: this strip is from a much earlier time (though I can’t determine the year it was published :-( , so it’s probably mid-November in strip-time.
Daltongang Premium Member 11 months ago
Some of us are sick of it now so why would you care.
Linguist 11 months ago
I hate listening to canned Christmas music in stores and malls!!
To be honest, I’m not overly fond of it anywhere, at any time!
The Great_Black President 11 months ago
Why is Gordon setting up banners?
Teto85 Premium Member 11 months ago
SOMA FM has had its Christmas channels up since at least October 1st
John Jorgensen 11 months ago
I don’t mind it so much when the decorations start appearing early because it’s nice to be reminded that something fun and festive is on the way. There is such a thing as overkill though.
There’s a pedestrian mall near me that does a tree lighting every year on the night of or the night after Black Friday. That stopped being fun when the tree went up, fully decorated, on November 1. Now, by the time of the lighting you’re so used to it you’ve forgotten it’s there.
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 11 months ago
In a Rite-Aid yesterday——Halloween,Thanksgiving AND Christmas stuff on display all at once.
Whatever happened to common sense? 11 months ago
Let’s take what should be a special time of year and cheapen and trivialize the experience. All for the sake of greed, commercialism and materialism.
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 11 months ago
Eastern Seaboard—USA.
Christmas doesn’t officially start until Laurel&Hardy in MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIErs
sjsczurek 11 months ago
You’ve got to get with the times and trends and all that kind of junk.
Happy Merry Holly Jolly HallowThanksChrisHanuKwanz.
Redd Panda 11 months ago
For this old panda, it’s time to avoid the stores.
Loath that musik.
I’d rather listen to Slim Whitman, on hold, on the phone, while waiting to speak to a human.
The Great_Black President 11 months ago
There might be some good deals at the mall, such as getting an electronic ankle bracelet so Elly can monitor where Elizabeth is right now.
JanLC 11 months ago
This was originally published on November 1, 1994. Things haven’t changed much since then regarding Christmas decorations & music. If anything, it gets earlier.
jr1234 11 months ago
Hallmark Chistmas movies start Oct 20 on both channels.
Four movies a week Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun and MORE Thanksgiving week Wed, 2 on Th 2 on F , Sa Su
https://www.tvguide.Com/news/hallmark-christmas-movie-calendar-2023-the-full-schedule/
.Com/popculture/tv/hallmarks-2023-countdown-to-christmas-movie-lineup-rcna105792
https://www.hallmarkchannel.Com/christmas/countdown-to-christmas-2023-preview/**
kathleenhicks62 11 months ago
I am already sick of the holidays!
g04922 11 months ago
LOL… Used to be the tradition to start Christmas decor and music after Thanksgiving…. Now we even have “Christmas in July” ! Too many ‘-isms’ in this world today, including commercialism..
mindjob 11 months ago
It’s lost a lot of its meaning since we do most of our shopping online
Thorby 11 months ago
Is that Eaton Centre by The Bay store?
Jwhitcomb1966 11 months ago
One nice thing that I liked about living in a small university city in Spain some years ago— the stores didn’t stock Christmas decorations, or haul out the Christmas goods, until December. The city didn’t decorate their streets with lights and such until the first week of December. However, because Spain celebrates Three Kings Day on January 6, that means that Christmas trees, decorations, celebrations, and big meals continue on until January 6. If you count on your calendar, then twelve days after Christmas is January 6.
MRBLUESKY529 11 months ago
Christmas is no longer just a season.
GirlGeek Premium Member 11 months ago
For all my past Walmart workers:
“All I want for Christmas is you.”
cosman 11 months ago
Christmas season didn’t start for me in the ’60’s ‘til you first spied the ’Andre Cold Duck’ commercial on TV..
cosman 11 months ago
Christmas season didn’t start for me in the ’60’s ‘til you first spied the ’Andre Cold Duck’ commercial on TV..