Christmas in November?

It was an unusually warm mid-November afternoon, and after a string of especially gruelling days of work, I decided to venture out while the sun was still shining. In November, when the sun starts setting around 4:00 PM, most of my roaming ends up happening after dark. In the bus and to the local shops I went, in search of nothing in particular but a break from my laptop. Much to my chagrin, everywhere I went, I was confronted by Christmas carols. In one store, my ears were besieged by the sound of Nat King Cole fa la la la la-ing (something I rather enjoy a little closer to December 25^th, but not at all in November) and my eyes bombarded by the sight of frantic shoppers hunting for decorative items to dress their homes for the upcoming festive season. As I moved deeper into the chaos of shopping carts darting in all directions, closer to the centrally located cash registers, I could hear the sound of that computerized voice calling out numbers in quick succession to eager consumers waiting in line for the privilege of swiping their cards. A thought popped into my head: “I hate capitalism.”

I escaped and soaked up the relative silence outside, until I entered the next shop: “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” This time, at least, the store was rather empty and peaceful. But it dawned on me: This is only the beginning. Soon, the shopping frenzy will kick into full swing. I may have to avoid such commercial establishments from December 1^st onwards.

Finally, I knew there was no hope that this conspiracy to start the Christmas season in November was going to suck me in, when another favourite, Eartha Kitt, couldn’t put a smile on my face with her rendition of “Santa Baby.” That was it for this Grinch; I decided it was time to head home.

I find it fascinating that the winter outerwear is just emerging in clothing stores, but the Christmas music is already pumping through the sound systems of our big box stores. Granted, the pink toque I’ve conjured in my imagination is more of a vanity purchase than a necessity, as I have various other toques to keep my head warm, but said outerwear is of practical use, whereas cutesy snowmen and reindeer to decorate the home are not. But, then, utility isn’t exactly the motivation behind the corporate version of Christmas. 

All I can say is Bah humbug.