Greetings:

When is the appropriate time for Christmas decorations and music to begin?...I just had my morning coffee and the shop I was in here in San Diego was playing Christmas songs already on November 7. I used to live up the road in Orange County and actual Christmas decorations in mini shopping malls would go up as early as Halloween. Frankly, I think this is a bit much and when I grew up in New York the decorations did not go up until later--say Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving week. Not sure where Bill O'Reilly got the idea of how the boogie man is trying to take away his right to observe the holiday but it sure seems to me that the celebrations etc. are moving up each and every year which, in the end, is disrespectful to the observance of the holiday in my opinion.

My question is, when is the appropriate time for Christams decorations and Christmas music to begin?...2 months before the holiday, 1 month??....I would also be very interested in hearing from our comrades in Europe, Canada, and Latin America as to when their countries begin displaying holiday ornaments and playing holiday music.

Never.

There are many, many people who do not celebrate or even acknowledge Christmas. Why should the songs and decorations be forced upon these people? Last year, Lowes had Christmas stuff out on Labor Day.

How many other religions force their decorations and songs upon the masses? I've yet to see a department store advertise the latest yarmulka trend, or a menorah sale.

quote:

Originally posted by Wacco:
Never.

There are many, many people who do not celebrate or even acknowledge Christmas. Why should the songs and decorations be forced upon these people? Last year, Lowes had Christmas stuff out on Labor Day.

How many other religions force their decorations and songs upon the masses? I've yet to see a department store advertise the latest yarmulka trend, or a menorah sale.

"Forced"?

Yes, forced. People do not have a choice on whether or not to listen to Christmas music, or to see the decorations when out in a public venue. When there is no choice, it then becomes force.

quote:

Originally posted by Wacco:
Yes, forced. People do not have a choice on whether or not to listen to Christmas music, or to see the decorations when out in a public venue. When there is no choice, it then becomes force.

Religious or not, it's an American tradition. Get used to it, it's not going away anytime soon, despite the looney left's attempts.

I respect your position,
but I feel that no one is forced to do or say anything they do not feel comfortable with.
You were not forced to reply to the topic starters post but you did,you were not forced to do so.
To say that Christmas is "Forced" onto people in public venues while they are out and about is sort of ludicrous. It is America,nothing is forced,it is a choice.

KKL, yupper on that.

Too bad other American traditions died. Smoking a premium cigar in a lounge/bar. Thrush mufflers on quite a few vehicles. Lack of political correctness. Jack Daniel's 90 and 86 proof. Few people being offended by anything/everything. Keeping media out of war zones so the military can do it's job, and WIN.

So, if nothing is forced, you should be able to go into Sears, and tell them that you do not like Christmas music.

Will they turn it off? Nope. So, during the season, if you do not want to be caught up in the hype and nonsense, you must stay out of public.

Roycigar--

I have to agree with you. I grew up in CT. Christmas started after the Macy's Parade when Santa Clause came at te end. And in my part of Connecticut Haunnaka was given equal prominence.

Fall was efined by the holidays, Up to October Halloween, until November Thanksgiving. (Not to mention Columbus Day and Veterans Day)

I was in Walmart yesterday and Christmas decorations were on sale and there was no orange and brown Thanksgiving decorations.

I believe they do start putting out the Christmas stuff to soon. Me being a Veteran I would like to see more Red, White and Blue. With the Marine Corps birthday the day before that. Jingle bells is not the sound that comes to mind. They should wait until after Thanksgiving to start Christmas.

I wonder what Uncle Ted would say Wacco.

I too feel that the holiday season should wait until Thanksgiving is over, but the stores want to get every penny that they can.

I drove to the shopping area near my home this morning and the traditional street display of alternating Christmas theme and Chanukka theme has been replaced by snowflakes strung accross the road every 50 feet. They must have been put up very late last night and early this morning because they were not there yesterday.

I went to a mall with MrsDoc today and JC Penny had holiday music playing and Christmas everywhere.

MrsDoc and I have been doing our holiday shopping on-line the past few years as mall crowds are unbearable to us old folk.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Docbarry,

when I'm back from school, we always start the Christmas season (tree, Elvis, etc) the day after Thanksgiving.

I think its easy to see why the "Christmas Spirit" appears early once we remember that all of that is commercially motivated. Consumers are not consuming and retailers are feeling the pinch. However, the retailers also know that the people associate all the decorations with holiday sales. Maybe they are figuring that having the music and decorations early will somehow get the people to associate the holidays with sales and get consumers to open up their wallets and purses early.

The day after Thanksgiving, and not a day sooner.

quote:

Originally posted by Wacco:
So, if nothing is forced, you should be able to go into Sears, and tell them that you do not like Christmas music.

Will they turn it off? Nope. So, during the season, if you do not want to be caught up in the hype and nonsense, you must stay out of public.

Christmas for retailers is not a religious event. It's a sales event. As a result, it would be like asking Sears to turn off the Musak. They would say no to that as well.