Merry Christmas from Hobby Lobby

[Luke]

My wife went to Hobby Lobby last week and lo and behold there were two aisles of Christmas stuff.

It seems Christmas creep is getting earlier and earlier each year.

[Easy180]

You would think Hobby Lobby would be one of the last to promote the commercialism of X-Mas

[so1rfan]

My daughter worked there for a time, the reason that they start so early is so people who do crafts can have access to it.

[venture]

Several stores are doing similar things to promote a Christmas in July type thing. They are even doing layaways and such for Christmas gifts already.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Only two aisles? The NW Expressway store has that beat by a factor of 5, lol.

I'm a Christmas fan so I was quited excited to see twinkling lights in the distance...however upon arrival I couldn't get into the spirit...too early.

[Thunder]

Well, it is almost August and then it will be 3 more months for all of it to kick in. Oh, the time goes by so fast! I am totally ready for it.

[PennyQuilts]

My daughter worked there for a time, the reason that they start so early is so people who do crafts can have access to it.

That's right. A lot of crafters sell their stuff in the fall and have to have it, now, to prepare. Of course, Christmas trees seem premature. As a quilter, even though I know WHY they do it, I still can hardly believe that Christmas fabric was released last month. Halloween fabric was released in May.

[Luke]

Of course, Christmas trees seem premature.

Speak for yourself.

We're gonna put birthday presents under ours at least until Thanksgiving.

[bbhill]

If I recall Hobby Lobby has been putting up their holiday displays around July for the last ten or so years. Usually pretty consistent in selection and quality. Although to me it seems they have been cutting back a bit in the last couple of years.

off topic: I really miss their memorial day flowers that they stopped carrying last year. They were always affordable and pretty good looking. Walmarts flowers are atrocious.

[Thunder]

off topic: I really miss their memorial day flowers that they stopped carrying last year. They were always affordable and pretty good looking. Walmarts flowers are atrocious.

Just accept what Walmart have to offer. They do not last long. Cemetary workers pick it all up and dump them in the trash.

[oneforone]

Sears started a website a couple of weeks ago.


Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas shopping? Apparently, Sears doesn't think so.

The retailer and its corporate partners, including KMart, have launched special holiday sections called "Christmas Lane" on their Web sites — sure to become a big hit with those early bird holiday shoppers who start to panic when Labor Day rolls around.

The company also has opened Christmas boutiques at hundreds of its stores, a business move that aims to court holiday customers earlier than ever and get them to take advantage of the company's layaway offers.

The year-end holidays typically represent a giant chunk — as much as half — of retailers' annual revenues, and every year, the start of the holiday shopping season seems to creep earlier and earlier.

Retailers suffered through a particularly weak season last year as the United States suffered through the recession. The National Retail Federation reported a dismal 2.8 percent drop in the 2008 holiday season compared to the same period a year earlier.

It remains to be seen whether the concept of Christmas shopping in July will persuade skittish consumers to open their wallets.

But even if they do decide to commit $199 to buying the GE "Energy Smart" spruce tree from KMart.com, they may be disappointed to find that particular product won't be available until September.

[Bunty]

They sure don't want to get too early for Halloween.

[soonergooner1]

I visited some folks last week who had their tree up, though not decorated. Did not ask for explanation...

[kevinpate]

I once thought it would be funny for a pack of friends to do Halloween as Santa and reindeer, then I reminded myself how many Bubbas carry a six pack on the seat and a 30/30 in the window rack. Talked myself out of it pretty quick.

[JerzeeGrlinOKC]

You would think Hobby Lobby would be one of the last to promote the commercialism of X-Mas

Its a business above all else (regardless of their "image"), so not if it makes them $$$. Stores stock this stuff early because, well, it sells, so I'm sure whatever Hobby Lobby says they won't turn away from the cash. Guess for the reasons posted above there is a market of folks who want to but Christmas stuff in July. I don't get it, personally. But then again I'm Jewish (but I do have a Christmas Tree and decorations, love 'em, don't ask...). I do like some of the stuff HL stocks, as long as its the commercially-type stuff.

Bah Humbug!

[scootinger]

You would think Hobby Lobby would be one of the last to promote the commercialism of X-Mas

I'm not quite sure about Hobby Lobby, but some of the far right/fundamentalist groups such as the American Family Association ironically seem to be the most adamant about the commercialization of Christmas. For instance the AFA has tried to pressure retailers year after year to use the word "Christmas" in their holiday advertising or else threaten a boycott. I would THINK they would want to keep the birth of Christ sacred and away from commercialism...but I guess not!

[Jesseda]

i know hobby lobby likes to kick it of early, i usually take my kids to garden ridge in august, they have all the halloween stuff out and lots of christmas things, it gets us in the mood for the season.

[so1rfan]

I'm not quite sure about Hobby Lobby, but some of the far right/fundamentalist groups such as the American Family Association ironically seem to be the most adamant about the commercialization of Christmas. For instance the AFA has tried to pressure retailers year after year to use the word "Christmas" in their holiday advertising or else threaten a boycott. I would THINK they would want to keep the birth of Christ sacred and away from commercialism...but I guess not!

They want to use the word "Christmas" instead of "X-mas". Because if not , then one is in effect replacing "Christ" with an "X". And afterall, "Christ" is the reason for the holiday.

[the_Mont]

They sure don't want to get too early for Halloween.

Something kind of weird, but I love it when Target starts setting up their Halloween stuff. Something about it just signifies Fall is officially here (even though the temps beg otherwise).

[oneforone]

i know hobby lobby likes to kick it of early, i usually take my kids to garden ridge in august, they have all the halloween stuff out and lots of christmas things, it gets us in the mood for the season.

I was pretty impressed with Gardenridge's Halloween selection. They had everything you could possibly want to turn your house into a Haunted House.

[Jesseda]

i know, my kids where scared of some of the inflatables lol, i really like that they had all the glitter hair spray stuff, my little girl loves it.. If you have not visited a garden ridge, i recommended doing so in mid august, they have tons of halloween stuff out, very fun to just go look, i have bought some neat decorations from them. also if you are into fall festive look ( scaracrows fall leaves and scenery) this is the place to go, they have tons

[SoonerBent]

I have a close friend that's a buyer for Hobby Lobby. You think it's bad for Christmas stuff to be in the stores now? He has to find and buy it in Feb./Mar.

That's waaaaayyyyyy too early.

[scootinger]

They want to use the word "Christmas" instead of "X-mas". Because if not , then one is in effect replacing "Christ" with an "X". And afterall, "Christ" is the reason for the holiday.

No...although they almost certainly oppose the use of "Xmas", their campaigns focus on ensuring that retailers use the word "Christmas" in their advertising as opposed to more universal terms like "holiday". You can read a list of such "anti-Christian" companies at http://www.afa.net/christmasban.asp

[so1rfan]

No...although they almost certainly oppose the use of "Xmas", their campaigns focus on ensuring that retailers use the word "Christmas" in their advertising as opposed to more universal terms like "holiday". You can read a list of such "anti-Christian" companies at http://www.afa.net/christmasban.asp

It makes sense to me that a Christian group would want to promote a Christian holiday as opposed to the generic terminology of "holiday".

It also makes sense to me that a business would want to use a generic terminology to appeal to as many potential purchasers as possible instead of one group. And I hardly believe a company to be "anti-Christian" that does so, but obviously there are those that do.

[JerzeeGrlinOKC]

Uh oh maybe I've bitten off more than I can chew here but...as someone who can partake in a "holiday" not in line with her religious beliefs I can attest that there doesn't seem to be much "Christ" left in many aspects of Christmas, for better or for worse. Some people get angry with me then for "celebrating" the commercial Christmas even though I'm not Christian, but I argue that if you are truly religious there is nothing particularly religious about Santa Claus, an indoor decorated tree (originally from Pagan worship), mistletoe, wreaths, eggnog, reindeer, sleigh bells, frosty the snowman, and gift giving to family and friends with red, green, and gold wrapping paper. Its the same argument I used with my parents when I was a kid in trying to convince them to celebrate Christmas (and if I recall, it never worked). Plus Hanukkah was never as exciting, I do have the jealous Jewish kid syndrome. But now that I live on my own I'm excited that I can do what I want!

So in summary, I see it as a wonderful and beautiful cultural tradition and I can't help but want to partake in it. So, please allow me to borrow the commercial parts of the "holiday"...