Opinion: too early for holiday stress

With the end of October often comes holiday shopping stress but guest contributor Michael Capps believes that it shouldn't be.

With the end of October often comes holiday shopping stress but guest contributor Michael Capps believes that it shouldn’t be.

Michael Capps, Guest Contributor
November 1, 2016

With the end of Halloween and November starting up, many stores have begun their advertising for the winter holidays. Yet, many stores are already decorated for the holidays at the start of October.

However, there needs to be a limit on how soon one can start thinking about the winter holidays.

The best time to start thinking about the holidays is a week or two before Thanksgiving. With Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving, it is reasonable for companies to start advertising a little before then.

With all the holiday stress though, anything sooner makes customers overwhelmed.

Hanukkah starts on December 24, Christmas is on December 25, and Kwanzaa starts on the 26. So why are we seeing Christmas trees, menorahs, and green and red candles now?

Every year it seems like holiday advertisements happen sooner and sooner every year, and that is a fact. Go into most stores now and fake snow, Christmas trees, and reindeer are starting to take over the scene.

For me personally, I love the holidays, time off from school, time with relatives, and some good food. However, I didn’t mention the reason companies are even advertising in the first place….gifts.

That is what makes the holidays so stressful for people, trying to buy the right gift and not spend too much or too little. Then comes the perfect time to buy gifts, Black Friday.

Black Friday is a nationwide day for sales on the top items this holiday season. Preparation for Black Friday is in full swing come November and a few companies start prior to that.

Americans last year spent an average of $830 on the holidays for gifts. Also, Americans spend more every year, so more time thinking about the holidays is more spending.

Already, 14 percent of Americans have already finished their shopping by September 29. So it makes sense for ads to start airing on TV and radio, but 30 percent say they will finish by Christmas Eve, December 24.

Therefore, most ads should start two weeks before Thanksgiving, right in between to satisfy both sides of the early bird and the procrastinators.