Really? REALLY?

I managed to go until November 19th before I heard my first Christmas music on the radio.   Still, it was a bit too early for me.

I enjoy Christmastime.  Really I do.  I'm not really a misanthrope or a curmudgeon.  However, I do have my limits.  I really, really prefer to celebrate one holiday at a time. 

Even more egregious than the music - I went in to a local big-box home improvement store to get something at the end of September - there were both Halloween and Christmas decorations on display.  About a week later, I went in to a local pharmacy - they had displays of Halloween, Thanksgiving AND Christmas decorations on display.  At the same time.  It hadn't even been Columbus Day weekend yet.

REALLY?

I know that economic times are tough and that retailers make a significant amount of their profits on holiday shopping at the end of the year, but it would really be nice if we could just celebrate one holiday at a time.  I usually wait until at least the first week in December before I decorate for Christmas or will even think of putting Christmas music on.  I might do a bit of holiday shopping before the 1st of December, but only if I find something special or unique - and I certainly don't go out on "Black Friday" or "Grey Thursday" as they're now calling Thanksgiving Day shopping.  The commercialization of the holidays - and particularly Christmas -  is getting out of hand.

Let's remember the true meaning of the season and all of the holidays that everyone celebrates at this time of year.