Author Topic: Holidays in October, November, December  (Read 13245 times)

Amara

Holidays in October, November, December
« on: October 13, 2019, 12:42:02 pm »
Hopefully, we can discuss all the holidays that show up in the last quarter of the year here: problems, issues, questions, amusing and frustrating incidents, gift lists and conundrums, ideas.

Yesterday, October 12, I went out to Pier One. I had ordered some pretty dinnerware and a couple of other items online for store pick-up. When I walked it I felt as if I had entered a kind of weird smooshed-up time tunnel where Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hannukah and Christmas were all one. (Which I guess they would be if stores had their way with the world.) You could buy stuff for any of those and in some cases they had more than one holiday on the same table display. Even two Christmas trees were up and decorated; thankfully, the music was not holiday-oriented.

Now I love--I mean L O V E--this time of the year. Yes, I listen to Christmas music but not until December 1. I decorate for fall, add a bit more for Thanksgiving, and then do Christmas. But because I love each holiday on its own and celebrate each one on its own, with no interference from any other, I found myself feeling annoyed. Of course I didn't say anything; it was only irk the sales staff and they can do nothing anyway.

I did buy one holiday item but one appropriate for October: Miniature pumpkin string lights: https://www.pier1.com/halloween-pumpkin-5-led-glimmer-strings/4120076.html?from=search#q=pumpkin%2520string%2520lights&origin=gridswatch

I have also been buying pumpkins, mostly faux ones. I don't know why but I seem to have developed a passion for them over the last few years. I like different colors and textures: glass, hammered copper, twig, grapevine, burlap, resin. I also have purchased some wheat bundles, those tiny pumpkins on stems from TJs (they are actually decorative eggplants) and other items. I did find at the thrift store three birch candles, the ones that have tiny candles in the middle so that will get added. I might look at tiny turkeys (maybe a salt and pepper set?) but I wanted to yell
NO CHRISTMAS ITEMS" at the store. I didn't though cause I'm not crazy.  ;D

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gmatoy

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2019, 04:48:40 pm »
Because I sew, I have been buying Christmas fabrics and making Christmas themed things for several weeks now. I often listen to Christmas music while I sew; therefore, I'm already listening to Christmas music. Additionally, when I was in the Army, I needed to be able to buy holiday themed things early to be able to ship them to friends and family around the world.

Perhaps it will bother you less to remember that not every one is on the same schedule?
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ArtsyCat

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2019, 05:42:10 pm »
This is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. Tomorrow is the holiday. Seeing lots of autumn themed stuff in the stores is appropriate but our holiday does not include Pilgrims! We do have turkey and pumpkin pies and all kinds of great veggies.

Our tradition is more a reflection of the British harvest festival celebrating crops gathered in for the long winter ahead. If our Thanksgiving was in late November in most parts of Canada we would likely be up to our necks in snow!

The halloween stuff has been in the stores since September and in Michaels the Chriistmas decorations are making an appearance.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadian members !🇨🇦
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Rose Red

Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2019, 06:22:29 pm »
Perhaps it will bother you less to remember that not every one is on the same schedule?

Some people also like to buy a few items at a time to fit their weekly budget instead of waiting to save up for one big shopping spree. The weekly trips may add up to $300 (or whatever), but it hurts less spread out over weeks or months.

lakey

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2019, 09:04:16 pm »
My main problem with stores putting up Christmas stuff so early is when they displace other items to make way for aisles and aisles of Christmas stuff. If they're putting out a limited amount of Christmas stuff, it doesn't bother me. One year I was in charge of  the faculty Thanksgiving lunch. I went to a store for decorations and supplies in the Thanksgiving theme and there was virtually nothing, and this was a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. Where I used to live there were a couple of stores that seemed to be skipping right over Thanksgiving. It's all a matter of degree. Too much of anything becomes annoying.

Also, fabric and craft stores are a different matter. These things have to be started well ahead of the holiday.

Aleko

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2019, 02:10:16 am »
Quote
Some people like to buy a few items at a time to fit their weekly budget instead of waiting to save up for one big shopping spree.

Which is fine for non-food items, but it depresses me to see Christmas food (gift boxes of chocolates, biscuits, etc) on the shelves in early September (which is when many UK shops start stocking their Christmas lines). I certainly don't want to unwrap a four-month-old box of chocolates on 25th December! If they're still within their Best Before date by then, they're so stuffed with preservatives that I don't want to eat them anyway.
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Nikko-chan

Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #6 on: October 14, 2019, 03:32:29 am »
October 31st is also Samhain. I am planning on modifying a honeycake recipe for it (the first time i made them they were too dry and not sweet enough. gonna add a different honey AND a crumb topping. mmm)

My minor annoyances: I worked retail for three years. If I never hear another Christmas carol again I will be one happy woman.

Second annoyance: The family is Christian, I am not, and my best friend is Jewish. In between Oct 31 and January 1st I celebrate, in order: Samhain/Halloween, Thanksgiving, Yule, Hanukkah, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years. In that order. *flop* Please stick a fork in me, as by the time this is over I will be as cooked as the Thanksgiving Turkey!
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Venus193

Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2019, 07:09:39 am »
I really don't like seeing Christmas stuff in stores in September, but fortunately it isn't displacing fall stuff... yet.  At least now we're having actual fall weather in New York for more than a few days before we get winter.

What I don't like is going into a store and finding aisles blocked with huge boxes of stuff not yet on shelves.  This happens frequently in Dollar Tree and Dollar General.

Fortunately, I don't have to get too many gifts anymore.  Most of them will be those large boxes of Russell Stover that are buy-one-get-two-free on Thanksgiving weekend, but I will have to stop by the store soon to remind the manager to really stock up on them this year because he ran out of them on Thanksgiving Day last year.

Pattycake

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #8 on: October 14, 2019, 09:05:06 am »
Quote
Some people like to buy a few items at a time to fit their weekly budget instead of waiting to save up for one big shopping spree.

Which is fine for non-food items, but it depresses me to see Christmas food (gift boxes of chocolates, biscuits, etc) on the shelves in early September (which is when many UK shops start stocking their Christmas lines). I certainly don't want to unwrap a four-month-old box of chocolates on 25th December! If they're still within their Best Before date by then, they're so stuffed with preservatives that I don't want to eat them anyway.

I don't think they want people to buy them now and hold them until Christmas - they want to tempt you to buy and eat them now, because hey, chocolate! and then buy more later for the holiday.
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Chez Miriam

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2019, 10:29:12 am »
Quote
Some people like to buy a few items at a time to fit their weekly budget instead of waiting to save up for one big shopping spree.

Which is fine for non-food items, but it depresses me to see Christmas food (gift boxes of chocolates, biscuits, etc) on the shelves in early September (which is when many UK shops start stocking their Christmas lines). I certainly don't want to unwrap a four-month-old box of chocolates on 25th December! If they're still within their Best Before date by then, they're so stuffed with preservatives that I don't want to eat them anyway.

I don't think they want people to buy them now and hold them until Christmas - they want to tempt you to buy and eat them now, because hey, chocolate! and then buy more later for the holiday.

Agreed - and not just chocolate, because hey, mince pies! ;) ;D
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."  - Julian of Norwich

Rose Red

Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2019, 12:00:34 pm »
Quote
Some people like to buy a few items at a time to fit their weekly budget instead of waiting to save up for one big shopping spree.

Which is fine for non-food items, but it depresses me to see Christmas food (gift boxes of chocolates, biscuits, etc) on the shelves in early September (which is when many UK shops start stocking their Christmas lines). I certainly don't want to unwrap a four-month-old box of chocolates on 25th December! If they're still within their Best Before date by then, they're so stuffed with preservatives that I don't want to eat them anyway.

I don't think they want people to buy them now and hold them until Christmas - they want to tempt you to buy and eat them now, because hey, chocolate! and then buy more later for the holiday.

Agreed - and not just chocolate, because hey, mince pies! ;) ;D

Although you can buy fruitcakes during the after Christmas sales to save as gifts for next Christmas. ;) :D
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Chez Miriam

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2019, 12:08:23 pm »
Quote
Some people like to buy a few items at a time to fit their weekly budget instead of waiting to save up for one big shopping spree.

Which is fine for non-food items, but it depresses me to see Christmas food (gift boxes of chocolates, biscuits, etc) on the shelves in early September (which is when many UK shops start stocking their Christmas lines). I certainly don't want to unwrap a four-month-old box of chocolates on 25th December! If they're still within their Best Before date by then, they're so stuffed with preservatives that I don't want to eat them anyway.

I don't think they want people to buy them now and hold them until Christmas - they want to tempt you to buy and eat them now, because hey, chocolate! and then buy more later for the holiday.

Agreed - and not just chocolate, because hey, mince pies! ;) ;D

Although you can buy fruitcakes during the after Christmas sales to save as gifts for next Christmas. ;) :D

Or, you can buy fruitcakes during the after Christmas sales and eat them really quickly*. ;) ;D

* Because who has eaten so much rich food over the festive season that they can't fit in a bit more rich stodge? ;)
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."  - Julian of Norwich

Carol1412

Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2019, 12:47:33 pm »
Which reminds me - need to stock up on the makings for Alton Brown's Free-Range Fruitcake. This year it'll all be mine, as Mom isn't here to help me eat it this year. I will probably be tearful eating it...
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Codewoman1125

Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #13 on: October 14, 2019, 01:14:47 pm »
I believe some holiday candies are made in April. That's when they evidently start. Since I discovered that, I've been much less likely to buy the pre-made goodies. Unfortunately, I'm now more likely to make my own goodies! So no fewer goodies.
-- Formerly Codewoman (but I forgot my password, have changed email, etc.)

Aleko

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Re: Holidays in October, November, December
« Reply #14 on: October 15, 2019, 06:15:40 am »
Quote
I believe some holiday candies are made in April. That's when they evidently start. Since I discovered that, I've been much less likely to buy the pre-made goodies. Unfortunately, I'm now more likely to make my own goodies! So no fewer goodies.

But better goodies, with love in the making, so that's a clear win.
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