I went to the mall yesterday and while I have been into other stores that have some Christmas things out, I was not prepared for this.... the mall by me has signs that Santa is arriving on November 11. Santa used to arrive on Black Friday, then for the past few years it's always been the week of my birthday (Nov 18) and now its Nov. 11, but I think that is because last year the other mall by me (which is about 10 min away from this one) had Santa arrive on Halloween. I love Christmas and decorating for Christmas and seeing Santa in the mall, but this is way too early in my opinion. So when does Santa arrive at your mall?

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

I know! They get the holiday stuff out earlier each year. I am looking forward to Black Friday but I will not be spending as much this year as I have in years past. I hope there's some good deals out there. I'll be keeping my eye out but I am almost positive that, other than Black Friday specials, the deals will get better and better as it gets closer. The retail industry needs a good boost.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I was reading news on CNN a couple of days ago and spotted this
HOW TO FIND $500 Dollars BY CHRISTMAS
How to find $500 by Christmas - CNN.com

LOL! The first sentence reads: You've only got about five paychecks left until Christmas. That means if you expect presents under the tree and not a debt hangover in January, you need to find the money starting now.

HURRY HURRY HURRY! LOL!

We try to have Christmas paid for by Black Friday but I don't know if we're going to make it this year. The kids aren't wanting for much and may not drop their "wish" list until the last minute.

I did see a top 20 toy list though and lucky for us only one of the items really stood out as "cool" in this house but after reading the CNET review which revealed that those Hot Wheels Stealth Rides (flat RC cars) only run for 45 minutes on one set of batteries! That was a turn off in this house. I can save that 24.99 a pop for those little battery gobblers!

Anyone else seeing any cool teenage stuff?
Thanks,
X

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Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I went and looked at my local mall's website and Santa is arriving on Nov 12th. Sears already has all their Christmas merchandise out. I guess decorating will be next. Yuck! Too early. I understand putting Christmas craft items out. However, other stuff can wait.

I totally agree way too early , it is not even Halloween and Christmas stuff is out as always and lately they always seem to forget about Thanksgiving which is such a lovely family food lol oriented holiday I think that stinks they rush everything too much. Peace. Catherine

The reason the stores do this is to cut costs. Their "seasonal space" has to be filled, Back to School, Halloween and Thanksgiving are not huge holidays and don't have as much to fill space with. So as soon as the "summer" items come down usually Christmas goes up in the seasonal space. This saves the store/customer money in the longrun as they are not having to buy other merchandise to just fill the area for a couple of months, plus all the extra work it would cost to pay someone to put out and take down merchandise in just a couple of months. Plus what are you going to put there? Whatever it is HAS to come down for Christmas stuff. Plus some people like to shop for Christmas stuff early.

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My family is officially "done" with the traditional gift portion of Christmas. Stores have ruined it IMHO. The death started about 5 years ago for us. I am glad my children will have fond memories of a tree and gifts, but we are done. It is now more about just being together.

Our entire family gets together Christmas Eve. We use to draw names for a gift exchange, but decided a few years ago to stop. Now...we share special food and drinks. We also have a great time sharing memories. We always gather around the piano and do carols, and take lots of pictures. I don't think anyone misses the gifts at all! There are some things that money can't buy!

We have been doing the White Elephant gift exchange for a few years now. We have a limit of $5 per gift since there are 18 of us now including everyone. The kids just love stealing gifts from one another and it really is the highlight of Christmas for us. This is what we call our little Christmas game and really have a ball with it.

As far as "big" gifts, probably just a big hd television for the kids.

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When you put it that way it totally makes sense. I have never worked in retail and this never occurred to me.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

dont care that they put out Christmas before Halloween is even over but two months of Christmas music does not always make happy cheerful customers

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The bell ringers totally turn me off. After listening to them day after day I am glad that some places make them display pictuof bells instead of actually ringng the bells al day.

I can't stand the bell ringers. I go out of my way to shop in places that don't have them.

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I've never lied to you. I've always told you some version the of truth.

I don't care for the bell ringers either. I used to try to put money in and I realized I was being silly because I am a merchandiser and I work in 2-3 stores a day and it would cost a fortune if I put money in everytime I passed a pot/bell ringer.

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