Since when does Christmas start in October?

Leave it up to the strategic marketers! A little bit of rain hits, the leaves start to brown and fall, our bodies begin to shift into “eat all you can and pack on the fat-here comes winter mode” and THIS is what they come up with!?  What the hell is wrong with people? Since when does Christmas start in October?!

There I was, minding my own shopping business,  grabbing a much needed early evening break at our local mall. No Hubby, no babies to hinder my frivolous spree.  I was out to reward myself  for making it through such a difficult day with two very cranky little girls AND missing my nail appointment because somebody came home late.  I was also excited to look for a new pair of shoes and to put ZAFU’s suggestions to the test. As I made my way to the center of the Center, hitting my favorite stores for a look-see, I was greeted by an unusual sight.  NO WAY!  I stopped in my tracks and just stood there, dumbfounded, thinking “I sooo wish I had my camera” when I realized that I had my phone. 

Oh, snap! They were setting up for Santa!  And I don’t know what’s worse. The fact that they were decorating for the Holiday season way before the Thanksgiving rush, or the fact that I had been in the Center for at least forty minutes already and didn’t notice the other decorations scattered about the rest of mall.  I must have had one rough day! I guess this is the kind of crap you face in the evening when by lunchtime it takes every ounce of energy you have not to choke the living crap out of the dumbass Panera cashier (who probably doesn’t know his right hand from his left, let alone how to take an order) who has the balls to say to you “Don’t be mad” with a big grin like some kind of Mouseketeer!

Excuse the tangent. It has been a long day.

Hubby is huge into conspiracy theories and the power of marketing etc., etc., etc.! I think it’s in his genes. I, on the other hand, am huge into buying what I want, because I want to and because I like it. No one tells me what I want.  For example, I saw this cute pair of red patent leather wedges, totally street-walker, but totally fun.  They were comfortable and exactly the kind of crazy thing I was looking for (no, not for Halloween), so I purchased them.  Hubby would say that it was all marketing that made me do it.  I just don’t buy into that.  Granted, patent leather seems to be all the rage this Fall, and ordinarily I would run from it.  But darn it,  the shoes are cute and let’s be fair, I am still making a conscious effort to move out of “convent mode” in the shoe department.  (If you didn’t get that, read #4 here)

Excuse tangent #2.

Anyhow, after this evening’s experience, I think that I am actually beginning to share Hubby’s disdain for marketing and marketers.  When they are prepping for Santa this early in the game, THEY HAVE GONE WAY TOO FAR!