As one holiday crashes into the next

I’ve heard lots people commenting over recent years that they totally resent seeing Christmas decorations in the big department stores before Hallowe’en is even finished!

This week as I read over the various articles for The Journal, I see that local groups are already planning their... (Shhhhh!) Christmas Bazaars and other things.

Is that all right? To be honest, the weather for the past two weeks has felt more Christmassy than it has Halloweeny, and typing these words is the only thing that’s keeping the blood circulating in my fingers.

Truth is, most people love Christmas. A recent survey that I read and tossed away said that Christmas is everyone’s favourite holiday in North America, followed by Thanksgiving, and then Hallowe’en.

So, if you’re feeling threatened by the overwhelming displays of tacky Hallowe’en parapheralia decorating the shelves of your favourite department stores this week, just keep telling yourself that the  soon-to-be present shelfloads of tacky Christmas decorations and such are there because we all love Christmas so much.

Christmas takes a lot of planning. Certainly, some people put a lot of preparation into Hallowe’en, and more power to them, but the Great Pumpkin still can’t hold a candle to St. Nicholas.

While children may enjoy the tricks and treats of Hallowe’en, they still dream of Christmas for a large chunk of the year.

I have a sneaking suspicion that when people complain about the holiday displays in the store, what they are really complaining about is the passing of time - from summer to winter on Aisle Six. Or about yet another holiday to plan for.

While I love Hallowe’en, I say Bring On Christmas! Just leave the snow behind.

But, if you want to ignore the coming of Christmas for a little while longer, either quit reading, quit watching, quit listening and avoid the stores, or immerse yourself in Hallowe’en by watching scary movies (Arsenic and Old Lace is my favourite!) or read a few scary books until November arrives. Then get set for the onslaught of  all things Christmas.