So, a question of sorts

HappyGilmore · November 07, 2012, 05:23:51 PM

How early is too early for radio/tv to begin with Christmasy music/specials?

This past weekend, Nov. 3&4th, Hallmark Channel began playing a weekend marathon of Christmas movies.

I have 35 MusicChoice channels (no djs, 24/7/365 uninterruped music), and on November 2nd one station began Christmas music, non~stop, until January 6th.

Here in Philly, our 'soft rock' station goes 'all Christmas' usually around Nov. 10th until Dec. 31 or so. The 'oldies' station as well. Hell, around 2008 or so we had 5 (FIVE!) radio stations competing for the holiday ratings...starting on HALLOWEEN! (I took my cousins out for candy and the radio was playing 'This Christmas' by Donny Hathaway).

I dig the holidays as much as the next...but if it's Nov. 1...well, it's early.

Local stores are decorating and advertising a 'Pre-Black Friday' sale!

Too early?

Leah · November 07, 2012, 05:57:50 PM

On Halloween, we started to see Christmas commercials.

Ed, Ego and Superego · November 07, 2012, 06:17:12 PM

I think the week beforeThanksgiving.

JaseSF · November 07, 2012, 08:47:08 PM

I think December 1st is early enough and I wish they'd make that law (but I doubt they ever would).

Jack · November 08, 2012, 07:43:33 AM

You have Thanksgiving, then there's Black Friday, then the Christmas season begins. I absolutely LOVE Christmas but when they try to stretch it out to two entire months, even I'm gong to get sick of it.

We actually had a salesman at a mall kiosk chasing us down wanting to sell us something already. I mean for pete's sake, that's a sacred Christmas tradition. On Nov. 5 it's just annoying.

dean · November 08, 2012, 07:56:15 AM

Some major shopping retailers here started putting in Christmas merchandise in August. That's way too early.

Mr. DS · November 08, 2012, 09:07:45 AM

I'd say any time after the Macy's parade is ok for Xmas movies. Now as for the bastard sadists who play xmas music 24/7 on the radio...its never ok.

ChaosTheory · November 08, 2012, 02:08:44 PM

Anything before Black Friday is a crime against nature.

HappyGilmore · November 08, 2012, 05:18:21 PM

ABC Family used to do the '25 Days of Christmas' block~holiday & family films of random variety (Rudolph, Frosty, Miracle on 34th St., Brady Bunch Christmas, etc.) from Dec. 1~Dec. 25.

This year is an 'ABC Family Countdown to the 25 days of Christmas' starting around Nov. 17.

The local soft rock station essentially confirmed that by Sunday the 11th will 'flip the switch' to Christmas.

I noticed my cable carrier, in addition to a channel that's already 24/7 holiday now has 'holiday' music videos and holiday films available On Demand.

Too soon, too soon.

AndyC · November 08, 2012, 07:18:29 PM

Personally, I would rather not see any sign of Christmas before late November.

Fine to think about Christmas if you want to get your shopping done early, or you have something that needs advance planning, but the season of Advent is four weeks, and that seems just about right to me.

Bad enough that the holiday has been encroaching on Halloween for years, but you Americans still have Thanksgiving to get through. Don't start a holiday when there's still another one ahead of it.

The Gravekeeper · November 08, 2012, 08:22:43 PM

Quote from: AndyC on November 08, 2012, 07:18:29 PM
Personally, I would rather not see any sign of Christmas before late November.

Fine to think about Christmas if you want to get your shopping done early, or you have something that needs advance planning, but the season of Advent is four weeks, and that seems just about right to me.

Bad enough that the holiday has been encroaching on Halloween for years, but you Americans still have Thanksgiving to get through. Don't start a holiday when there's still another one ahead of it.

My thoughts exactly. Who needs to deal with the stress of one socially mandated family get-together (with food that takes a long time to prepare, no less) while you're being bombarded with advertising and pressure to prepare for another even more expensive socially mandated family get-together?

tracy · November 09, 2012, 02:28:45 PM

I think the day after Thanksgiving is soon enough. Especially since I've been seeing Christmas stuff on the shelves since early October. It's like they want to skip right from Halloween to Christmas....Thanksgiving has lost it's meaning. It's just eating and football now....so many folks have no gratitude any more.

HappyGilmore · November 09, 2012, 05:30:51 PM

Thanksgiving is just a Thursday night with turkey and NFL to most now.

Sad, really.

Pacman000 · November 09, 2012, 05:42:08 PM

I'm thankful for this site (and the people on it), does that count?

tracy · November 10, 2012, 01:13:45 PM

Quote from: Pacman000 on November 09, 2012, 05:42:08 PM
I'm thankful for this site (and the people on it), does that count?

Yes...in my book it sure does.