Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Too early for Christmas music!

I am growing more and more into a serious Grinch every year.

And I am not alone in my feelings on one topic, the playing of Christmas music too early. Read blog in Atlanta Journal Constitution (you may need to register and log in).

If you read the comment section of the blog, in which I posted a comment, you'll find that many think we should celebrate one holiday at a time. But then there are the "Christmas fanatics" too.

I discovered on NOVEMBER 14TH that another local radio station has gone ALL-CHRISTMAS 24-7. If you live in Warner Robins Georgia and points south, 99.9 FM radio is playing all Christmas music. They join 96.5 in Macon in playing Christmas music WAY TOO DAMN EARLY!

I work and travel all over Georgia and so far only ONE city had their Christmas lights actually turned ON. And that dubious honor goes to the city of Macon, who on VETRANS DAY November 11th, had the downtown Christmas lights turned on.

Other towns started putting up their decorations recently including the city where I live, but the lights are not yet turned on. (and they better not turn them on before we digest our Thanksgiving Turkey)

Now we know the retail stores are already in Christmas mode. After all, this is THEIR time of the year. And Christmas has become nothing more than a marketing season. It is all about ringing sales and turning profits. The only "birthday" that most will celebrate will be the people who were actually born on December 25th themselves or they know someone who was born on that day. And even then it may not be a big deal. But will any of these people, and that includes those who call themselves "christians" remember any other birthday in December? Don't bet on it. Cause it's really all about the gifts.

I was in Columbus, Ga last night (for the third time in a week) and before driving home I needed to do some shopping. I decided to shop for non-perishables before making my 90 minute drive home and in front of 10 different stores in the same shopping complex was a Salvation Army bell ringer. And half of them were wearing Santa hats. It was NOVEMBER 14TH!

Next week, there is a day that is called Thanksgiving. That day is nothing more than a dinner date now.

Bon Appite