Guest Report post Posted October 11, 2014 When I worked in retail, we would sigh and ho hum about the signage and festival promotions that got peddaled every three or four months. It always seemed like we were putting up and taking down signs. With that being said, once the signage was up, it gave a fresh face to the store and you could kind of feel in the Thanksgiving/Christmas/whatever mood. I know that some stores insert special smells to relax their customers, especially around Christmas time (it helps us spend our money). Do you think that although this is based on driving sales, it does encourage us to do this in our homes? Do you decorate your home with festive decorations? Do you feel this gives your home a fresh face? And does it get you into whatever festival mood? What are the things that you do to feel festive? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Studio 110 by Sophia 150333 Report post Posted October 11, 2014 Often I tend to gather natural goodies from the forest, back yard etc...I will make a lot of my own decorations for Thanks giving, Christmas wreaths and center pieces. For this Thanksgiving I just bought a potted Mum's, very pretty orange and red, but that is as far as I go with this Holiday. Besides, my turkey will make the best center piece lol. Christmas, I have inherited decorations from my Mom, so I have all I need:) I do not go overboard with spending money on any holiday. Years ago I used to decorate for Halloween, that was my most favorite time for decorating!! But the last two years, just have other more important things to spend money on....like shoes! NO JK, hehehe. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brad 49548 Report post Posted October 11, 2014 I like that stores remake themselves with the signage and decorations of different holidays, because it can help get me in the mood of the season and it feels like a shared experience when it's everywhere you look. And yes, sometimes it prompts me to throw up a few Halloween or Christmas decorations of my own. What I don't like is that stores start it waaaay too far in advance. I don't want retailers to be trying to get me into the Christmas spirit when it's not even Remembrance Day, or even Halloween! When everything is done up for a few weeks that feels special and fun. A months' long push...that just feels tiring and greedy. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jafo105 39057 Report post Posted October 11, 2014 During the winter months I have the fire place going.... er... um... That is the HDTV channel 1520 on the Bell Fibe TV.... Sometimes they even play holiday music as well. For most holidays I do absolutely nothing. For Christmas, all I do is play Christmas music. I do not decorate for Christmas. For fear that the cat will bring down the tree. Plus -- I live in an apartment. So the storage is very limited -- no place to store the tree in the off season. With each passing year the budget and wallet gets smaller and smaller -- for everything. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 11, 2014 When everything is done up for a few weeks that feels special and fun. A months' long push...that just feels tiring and greedy. We used to laugh about getting the Christmas stuff in, just after halloween. Just like everything else balance is the key. I love Christmas music but it seems like that can be overdone too. When I'm not around it everyday, I appreciate it a whole lot more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jabba 18389 Report post Posted October 11, 2014 ...I know that some stores insert special smells to relax their customers, especially around Christmas time (it helps us spend our money).... I've been to a few stores that use scents during certain holidays. Christmas is especially bad. I'm sensitive to perfumes, colognes and scented air fresheners. So, in cases where the store does use scents, when I open the store door and take a breath, it's like an assault. I have to turn around and leave. So much for a positive customer experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cinelli 22184 Report post Posted October 11, 2014 Why don't stores play those barking dog Christmas albums? Those are the greatest thing ever! Dogs barking out "Jingle Bells" woo hoo!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted October 12, 2014 Why don't stores play those barking dog Christmas albums?Those are the greatest thing ever! Dogs barking out "Jingle Bells" woo hoo!!!! Cool, how about testing the employees longevity of their holiday spirit and put this on an endless loop for a month. Whomever, doesn't have a nervous twitch or anger issues gets a raise. Yay!! Me thinks this is cute for one or two songs. Big smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowdark 5613 Report post Posted October 12, 2014 Lok at this from another perspective; stores and businesses have one sole purpose and that's to make money. Plain and simple. Every decision is based on the profit margin. If they didn't make money from putting Christmas decorations and product up in October, they wouldn't do it. There are Christmas stores that thrive all year round. And I saw a Wal-Mart or two that had back to school stuff up in the middle of June when most kids were still in school. But I didn't hear too many parents complain about that ;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peacectryguy 12547 Report post Posted October 12, 2014 I've gotten to the point of not even caring what the stores do. I notice but it does nothing as far as my shopping. I'm a guy who goes in, finds what I want, pay for it and leave, regardless of the hype or advertising. I spend so much of my money on tools for work and all the day to day stuff that I keep purchases to a minimum. A little something for the grandkids and that's it other than a couple of cards. By mid December, I just want to get it over with. The stores move from one holiday to another so fast too. Hell, immediately following the "Boxing Week" specials, the Valentines Day crap goes out (phoniest holiday ever, imo). Than Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Canada Day, Back-to-school and back to now with Thanksgiving/Halloween. Just a big cycle to make a buck. More power to them, not faulting the stores at all. Without profit, the doors close but I just don't get too excited or "into" it all. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kellyxo 11682 Report post Posted October 12, 2014 I don't see anything wrong with it :) I like to delay a little to show respect for our soldiers on November 11 but my lights are up November 12th and they are on every night long past Christmas!! First one with lights up and last one to take them down :) There is enough negativity so any little thing that makes us feel positive is great in my books. Kelly Xoxo 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roamingguy 300292 Report post Posted October 12, 2014 Personally I think it goes on too long. I am so glad when January rolls around and things get back to normal. Just a week or so ago I was in Costco and they had Christmas wrapping paper out. Then hit Canadian Tire, and they were getting their Christmas stuff out Like WTF, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Remembrance Day haven't even come Christmas has lost any meaning, it's just a commercial holiday anymore. About the only sane act our family has done is we now limit our gifts to $50...be it cash, gift card or gift...and even family gifts are more obligation than something I like to do. Now gifts for friends, something else, I like giving those :-) A rambling RG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cr**gCa***ng Report post Posted October 12, 2014 Even though I no longer have any family remaining alive I do very much enjoy it as people with family and children seem to enjoy it all. I found going to malls and stores difficult during the first year my wife was deceased but I am warming up to it. I like cheerful sales staff even though I have nobody to buy anything for really. I realize it's commercialism but stores need to make a profit in order to pay sales staff so I am good with it. I enjoy going to restaurants that have a holiday theme. I wish I had someone to take and enjoy it all with. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lowdark 5613 Report post Posted October 12, 2014 Sorry to hear that. I agree that's it a treat watching kids light up at Christmas; the world kind of stamps out their belief in magic too early so seeing them genuinely smile at Christmas is a little bit of a miracle. Plus not too many people realize that the Christmas season represents anywhere from 40-50 percent of many retailers annual income. No Christmas bonanza equals a lot fewer jobs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theliquor (Lost but not fo 50595 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 I love it when a lady invites you into her boudoir and starts stripping, and you find the colours of the season beneath her clothes. For today, with the leaves changing colour before us, I love to see orange, yellow and deep dark red panties and bra. Yum! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luckyme 41401 Report post Posted October 13, 2014 Personally, I don't really mind when the stores or malls are decorated with Christmas stuff and with carols playing during the Christmas season. It puts you in a feastive mood. I do however, think that they are over-doing it most of the time. It is not unusual to see Christmas decorations and displays right after Halloween or at the end of the summer, school and Halloween stuff out in the middle of the summer, or summer stuff like lawn furnitures and tools, fertiiizers etc out in the middle of the winter. These look so out of place most of the time. It reminds me of when I was visiting an Asian country near the equator a few years back, it was in about October and the malls were fully and colorfully decorated with Christmas stuff and carols were playing in full blast. The amusing thing is - the outside temperature was over 35 deg C and... it was a Moslem country. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
