ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS?, IN JULY?

While there are those who see a six-month-long holiday buying season as a good thing, I am clearly not one of them.  While I understand the financial benefit of spreading out holiday gift purchases over a longer period of time, thinking about Christmas when school hasn’t even started yet is just wrong.

What about you?  Are you ready for Christmas in July?

The earlier I prepare, the MORE I buy.  I'll always find a reason to give those gifts early.  Maybe somebody is having a bad day, or a sick day, or I'm just too excited and cant wait to see them open it.  Whatever the reason, the earlier I shop, the more I spend.

And if the brains behind this Christmas in July business think that a clever poster featuring Santa sporting sunglasses and flip-flops while floating happily in a swimming pool is going to get the young ones fired up and ready to shop, they are sadly mistaken.  Even my 5-year-old declared it “weird.” He doesn't even want to picture Santa "NOT" engaged in his work of making all those toys for good girls and boys!  C'mon, the thought is abserd.
They are trying to “create that sense of excitement, that sense of urgency.” They are trying desparately to rake in more and more off this crazy Santa thing. Yes, I have fallen victim to this scam in years past, however, this year.....NO WAY!
What they succeeded in creating – at least in me – is a sense of annoyance and irritation.  And ultimately, deliberate avoidance of any store that messes around with the natural order of things in this way.

This year, I know exactly what I want to buy each person.  I will vow to getting just that thing/s an out!  I do not NEED another trinket or bobble!, and 'they' do not NEED anymore of my cash!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY, ARE YOU READY?