Notes

Hold The Decorations!

Notice around stores there are many holiday decorations already up. But the ones that pop out are usually Christmas decor!
I love Christmas. Without question, it is my favorite holiday of the year but I have always felt that Christmas decorations should not go up until after Thanksgiving.


Unfortunately, the decision by retailers to display Christmas decorations before the cobwebs of Halloween have been swept away, and well before the Thanksgiving turkey has been cooked—has me slightly displeased. When talking with others I know I’m not alone. (Interview)


So when is the right time? The safe answer is after Thanksgiving, but we all know that Black Friday has become the super shopping holiday of the season and putting up decorations then would be like setting up for a party after the guests began arriving.



My recommendation would be for employees & retailers to begin embellish their stores with fall seasonal decorations throughout October and mixed with a few wintery nods at the beginning of November. Then toward the end of the month, begin shifting the look for a full winter design. By the time retailers reach Thanksgiving week the store will have shifted decor appropriately to the season, and in full preparation for the holiday shopping bonanza. When Black Friday arrives stores will already have the look for Christmas in place and propping up snowmen and giant bulbs will be as easy as hanging decorations on a tree the night before Christmas itself.



Which brings me back to my point. In late October and early November, give the Christmas decorations a rest. Let the sweet-smelling of pumpkin-spiced lattes ease the seasonal transition before dumping fake snow all over the countertops. I’m not declaring a war on Christmas, but if retailers want grab early holiday shoppers I suggest avoiding the early decoration thought because the shoppers are already there—and you might be annoying them.