Friday, June 15, 2012

Ho Ho NO!

Blame it on the watermelon.

Had I not ventured into Hobby Lobby looking for something cute and watermelony to put on a table, you wouldn't have to listen to this whiney yakabout.

But I did, so you do.

You see, what I discovered when I got there was nary a watermelon sight. Really and truly... there was not so much as a napkin to decoupage into a coaster.  In fact, there wasn't much for summer merchandise period.  What little they did have had been dismembered by craft vultures and banished to the bargain corner.

All so they could make room
for this.


And aisle after aisle 
of this.



To be honest, my first response was a little bit of panic. Christmas decorations do that to me. The whole Christmas mania thing kind of comes up in my throat and threatens to choke me when the stores first put them out.

But then, I remembered something. This is June. It's not even the end of June, either. We've still got about six weeks before we enter the dog days of summer.  We have not yet begun to bake.

Yet at Hobby Lobby,
 it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  


Suddenly, I wasn't panicky anymore; I was downright irked. I stood there and glared at it for a minute, and then because I'm a glutton for punishment, I felt the need to walk through Santa Land, getting crankier by the minute.

I tried to titch and snort the whole thing out of existence, but it didn't work.  

I tried to get other gawkers to titch and snort with me, but they were  giddy with excitement.


Finally, I did what I always do. I called my mother and tattled on Hobby Lobby.  Then, I whipped out  the shiny red Kodak and took these pictures so I could tattle to you.


It was bad enough when Christmas started showing up in November, and Thanksgiving got bumped into obscurity.

Then, it moved to October...
And then into September...

But June? 
  For the life of me, I can't understand the rush. 
Do people really need six full months to prepare for Christmas?


Please tell me someone can relate. 

Does anyone else out there think that 
Christmas in  June is entirely too soon? 


 Or are you all  at this moment Ho Ho Ho-ing your way
to the nearest Hobby Lobby all giddy with excitement?



54 comments:

ellen b. said...

Oh no! Say it's not true! I thought it was weird to see some Halloween stuff at Michael's today but this is way over the top for sure.

Vee said...

I find it pretty appalling. Thank you for tattling. I won't be shopping at any store or at least in any aisle with these sorts of displays before the first of November at the earliest.

Renée said...

Yes...you just ruined my day. It drives me crazy to Ho-Ho in September. I'll take your word for it and not even darken their door. I honestly would not believe any other yanker out there. Chin up....;U

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

Yup, this is PROBABLY where the term "Christmas in July" came from. My oldest son was born on July 11th almost 40 years ago, AND It was always easy to buy ALL SUMMER STUFF SO CHEAP by his birthday because all the winter and Christmas stuff was there...ON THE GOOD NOTE, DID they have "CHEAP CHEAP Clearance on SUMMER STUFF"! Oh and I remember trying to buy summer plastic outdoor chairs for a BIG PICNIC for 4th of July and there "WERE NONE"!!! UGH! It's funny because you would think FALL things would come before Christmas things!Hmmmmmm!
Deep Breaths Girl!!!
Big Squishy Hugs,
Donna

Barbara F. said...

I never did grasp the whole concept of "Christmas in July" anyway. I thought I was going to see pumpkins and scarecrows! Silly me. So now we go from spring to Christmas? This is nuts. I don't want to look at Christmas ornaments (especially since I have stuff chillin' in my store room that really needs to get packed properly) :o xo

Debbie said...

Oh no...how ridiculous is this? Christmas in June is just downright depressing. My daughter's birthday is in July and I can remember never being able to find her a new swim suit or summer clothes for it cuz all the winter coats and stuff were in the stores. But they at least waited until Sept. at least for Christmas. What's next? They NEVER take it down? OK, I guess I have ranted enough. But I just could not agree with you more.

Enjoy your week-end!

Kathe said...

Even as a certified lover of all things Christmas I too am irked! The fist DAY of summer hasn't even arrived yet! It's to to soon! Nope, they'll not get one dollar from me no matter how they try to entice me!!! Give me summer please!! Winter comes soon enough here!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

My sentiments exactly! I was in HL this week and got irked that fall leaves and pumpkins were beginning to appear. I didn't wait around to see what your shiny red Kodak captured.

I'm just now beginning to think of July 4th...

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I saw this when I was in Hobby Lobby last week and I was stunned!! What?? Christmas decorations in June? That is just too much! I really want to enjoy each season as it comes along.

Savannah Granny said...

I want to gag!
What ever is in people's mind. I think we should seek out the corporate phone number and
email address and contact HL expressing our disgust.
Well, I opened a new window and did just that. If anyone else is interested in letting HL know how you feel about Christmas in June, the information is below.


http://www.hobbylobby.com/customer_service/contact_us_form.cfm?company=1&addr=1&dept=1&mypage=1


Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.
7707 S.W. 44th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73179

Debbie, I gotta get some dessert and calm down.
Love to you and yours for the holiday. Ginger

Mevely317 said...

Winter is my very favorite season, but this is ridiculous!!!!

I'd promise to boycott Hobby Lobby, Debbie, but can't recall ever having gone there. (There's not a crafty cell in my body.)
Instead, I'm going to take SavannahGranny's advice and "titch" on-line.

Miss Merry said...

WHAT!!!!!!! They are plumb crazy. I am thinking ahead. I am thinking ahead to JULY - you know, flags, the good old red, white and blue! Honestly - I think watermelon is more of an August decor (LOL). They are just nuts. Who is buying Christmas in JUNE????

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Debbie...

I LOVE Hobby Lobby but they really have gone TOO FAR! I could hardly believe my eyes as I looked through your photos! I love Christmas but putting out the Christmas merchandise just about ruins it for me! I, too, am apalled! Commercialism! Sheeesh...we are just beginning summer here in Colorado. I can't believe that you can't go into a HL and get summer things!

Well...guess I better go and simmer down a bit too! Thanks to Ginger for sharing the link to HL's corporate office. I think I'll shoot them off an email as well!

After all my complaining...do have a wonderfully sweet weekend, my friend! wink!

Love ya,
chari

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh goodness, I love everything C'mas, but this early is making me sick to see!! I think even Sep. it's so early, as we should see more of Halloween before!! What ever happened to the 4th. of July! Too much. Had fun looking at this, though.
Happy Father's Day...(or maybe I'm too late, lol)
FABBY

Lynn said...

Well, here's the deal in my world... I learned long ago (thanks to Marshalls) that if you like it, it's best to grab it when you see it! Doesn't matter if it's before season, in season or past season:@)

Babs said...

I LOVE Christmas, but in June? Nah! I was in Hobby Lobby the other day and saw the aisles with Christmas stuff...I did a quick turn and didn't even go down the aisles. Yep, I agree with Ginger about emailing or calling the corporate office.

Anne said...

That does seem a bit much. Aisle after aisle? Thats over the top.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Debbie,

I think this is awful, truly! What complete nonsense. I love the Christmas season, but every year it seems to get more stressful, and this is part of the reason. Commercialism and rushing the season. I was just telling my husband this evening that this is the nicest summer weather I can remember in YEARS; it's really hard to believe it's almost the end of June. Everything is blooming beautifully around here, and I was just thinking about July 4th. I'm really amazed that HL has already put out Christmas merchandise. Thanks for the info; I won't bother driving there now.

Hope you have a great weekend. :)

Hugs,

Denise

Chatty Crone said...

I love what Christmas means and what it is about - but none of those things have a thing to do with it. It is way too early and way to commercialize. They may as well leave it up all year long. And they are a Christian company. So I agree with you!
sandie

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Debbie, I also was shocked to see the aisles filled with Christmas stuff when I was there two weeks ago. I can understand that crafters need supplies ahead of time in order to have things ready for fall sales but surely they don't need this much time. I enjoy shopping at Hobby Lobby but I really did feel a little sad when I saw that they were filling the shelves with ornaments and were not stocking more summer things that we need now. I am going to join in the growing chorus of tattlers and let them know how ridiculous this is!!! I'm ok really I am!--------- Shannon

bj said...

DEBBIE...I have, at this very moment, pictures on my camera of OUR Hobby Lobby FULL OF CHRISTMAS STUFF. I could not even believe it. Makes me sick.

Robin said...

Happy to know it's not just me. I preach on my blog about thinking ahead and since it's still spring that means summer! My daughter has a February birthday and she always received spring and summer clothes because that's what was available at the time! It' really got out of hand.

Robin
Robin Flies South

Gina said...

Oh my goodness! As much as I adore Christmas, I really do not like seeing merchandise for sale this early. For Pete's sake, it's June!
I noticed at Michael's last week that there were fall flowers everywhere. I snickered then, but heaven help me, I never thought I'd see Christmas this early. What has gone wrong in the retail world?

The Polka Dot Closet said...

You have got to be kidding me!!!!! For some reason it makes me a little sick! I was just thinking something...I know this is terrible and I will probably be struck by lightening..But I dread 3 months of looking at bloggers posts of their Christmas mantles KABOOM ...that was lightening!

Carol

Sharon said...

OK, this disturbs me.

I feel that the Merchandising Monster of Merriment has gone too far this time. Christmas keeps coming sooner and sooner...and I do not think that's good. What's next - Jack-o-lanterns in March? Turkeys in August? (Although I've seen some turkeys in August...they're usually hogging the fast lane on the freeway).

And by the way, it's JUNE already?! Good grief.

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

Debbie,

First of all, hi from Hong Kong.

Second, I haven't lived on the US mainland for a year now. Our Christmas season here launches with months ending in -ber. You got it: SeptemBER...

But JUNE? I just lost my lunch. Sad. Horribly sad. Honestly, it offends me. All about money. Everything's commercialized money, money, money.

No lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Hey-- do you realize it's NOT EVEN SUMMER YET? Still spring?! Goodness! Flag Day and where are they? The flags, I mean.

I AGREE WITH THEE!

my little cottage said...

nice post thanks for sharing...blessings

Denise said...

I told you the other day that I knew they put it out early. When your sweet newlywed niece was getting married I shopped at HL a lot. I remember seeing Christmas stuff in the summer. It was and is absolutely ridiculous. When late fall arrives and we should begin looking for some of that merchandise, it will all be picked over. What is this world coming to!! Glad you tattled.

Anonymous said...

Debbie,
I agree. I prefer to live more simply, enjoying each season as it occurs. Instead of anticipating the next season before it's here and missing what's now.
So...if I go to HL, (it's 30 miles away, so don't go too often) I now know to avert my eyes.
Thanks!

Kathleen said...

I can not believe it! Christmas decorations in June! Absolutely incredible. What's the matter with these businesses, do they not have anything else to sell? I would've thought taking up all that precious sales space with Christmas stuff was losing them business on the here and now holidays. I think they need a big reality check.

I think September is way too soon and that's when Christmas stuff appears over here. Okay, I'll stop ranting now but I completely agree with you, it's crazy!!

Maryann said...

This would have made me a little nuts...and I wouldn't have kept quiet about it either. I have a hard enough time when the decorations and commercials begin to show up in October. (that's when my ranting usually begins)
I am with you this is crazy!!

Christine said...

Well there you have it!
I'm number 32 for comments and almost all of us are against Christmas in JUNE might less JULY!!
Only two comments were on the fence about this. Not one was for it.

Glad you tattled!

Knitty said...

**Shaking my head** ....

I can understand some components being available for people who make things for craft fairs that begin in October, things like fabric, patterns, wooden sleighs to be painted, plain glass ornaments to be filled or painted, etc. but not all that stuff that is ready to be hung on trees, doors and mantles.

Frankly, I am disappointed that so much space in stores like Hobby Lobby, Joanns and Michaels is ready made crap (yes, crap, even though I've bought an item or two) instead of the craft supplies that were the basis of those stores for years.

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
I'm with you! I protest Christmas in June. It just isn't right for all the beach and boardwalk days we have ahead of us to be pushed aside. Bad enough when we just get through Back-to-School and the ornaments show up through the unwanted folders and notebooks strewn all around! So, I'm GLAD you tattled on Hobby Lobby. :)

L,
Jean

Elizabeth Edwards said...

that is scary. so not ready to think about christmas. i'm enjoying the summer first. ha. ha!! (:

Sharlotte said...

I'm with you! I can't believe it! I was in there about a week ago and they were setting up. I had to actually stop and think..."...what month is this?" They when I was brought back to my senses I had to shake my head too! Ugh!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Chrismas in June!!!! I'm with you....No way...it's too early to think about.....I love summer and don't want to think snow or Santa stuff...... Go ahead and rant Debby....I'm cheering you on.

Amy Kinser said...

Well, I think I am a little shocked. Good grief! I really don't understand the logic, but I guess I don't have to. Not this girl...I sure don't need that many months to prepare.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I'm in total agreement with everything you said. Ugh! It's just ridiculous!

Denise said...

Beyond crazy.

Mary said...

Christmas in June does boggle the mind. I used to be part of the retail machine~ believe me, it is a machine. I always had to request in triplicate no less not have have Christmas merchandise shipped until October 1st. Manufacturers give retailers dating so they don't have to pay for merchandise until December 1st so it's not sitting in their warehouses. Retailers don't want it sitting in their warehouses, so they stock their shelves. I breathe a huge sigh of relief each year that I'm not unpacking those boxes and stocking those shelves anymore.

Tracy said...

That is exactly ow I feel...UGH!!!! There is no place for Christmas in June!

Debbiedoos said...

This is crazy! Makes my stomach in a twist LOL. I love Christmas but do not want to see decoration in the beginning of SUMMER time!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I am laughing too hard to comment...but I do so agree...but then I see I am so late to this party that you probably won't get to my comment until Christmas, at which time I will be ready to see all these decorations!!!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

Oh LAWD!!!!!!!!! This brings back HORRIBLE memories. I worked at a place kinda like HL, in the design room. We would start making Christmas decorations in August, usually. I hated THAT, but JUNE!!!!!!! That is insane. I would HATE to see it in a store right now. Thanks for tattling:):) XO, Pinky

Linda W said...

Tattle away, I agree completely. In spite of the heat and humidity, I want to enjoy summer. It's crazy the retailers are in such a hurry. S l o w d o w n people!

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

It's stuff like this that is going to keep me away from Hobby Lobby. The very last thing I want to look at on a 98-degree day is Christmas decorations! Try Party City.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, friend! I was in Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago and was a bit disturbed to see how bare the shelves were. I thought perhaps they were having some problems - not making the sales quotas, on the way out or something. It is a new store that just opened here in March - the first in our South Jersey area. Well, now I know what they were up to! Feeling a bit of a boycott coming on . . .

Joy at Michaels,
Kathy

FrouFrouBritches said...

I know, right?!? I went to HL a couple of weeks ago to get some spray paint and I could NOT believe my eyes when I walked past Christmas. I mean, I LOVE Christmas. I start listening to the Christmas CD's in October or the first of November, and usually my tree is up he first weekend in November, but even I don't want to see it in June. Come on people. It's time to enjoy the lake and the sunshine. And as far as I'm concerned, anybody working on Christmas decor this early is just an overachiever anyway. ;)

Tanna said...

Oh, Debbie!! It totally irks me to find the Christmas decorations out already!! For goodness sake!! It is JUST. NOT. TIME!! Let us enjoy our summer... and gorgeous wreaths our friends make out of beach towels, sand pails and tons of creativity... and fall... and Halloween... and Thanksgiving... Puhleeease! And, amen!!

BTW, I love that wreath, girl!! It screams summertime fun!! It is June after all! xoxo ~ tanna

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Somehow I missed this post -- but I didn't miss having the exact same experience last week (except I didn't take the time to tattle). I refused to walk down those aisles or even look at them. I got what I needed and hightailed it outta there. I have a florist friend who went to work for HL when her husband lost his job -- over a year ago -- and she's the one who always gets to "fluff" the trees. Last year I remember she talked about 34 trees IN ONE DAY. And it was Summer. No thank you! Instead of just tattling, I think we should all REBEL!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I'm in shock! What are they thinking? laurie

Shanee said...

Oh Debbie you have hit a real sore spot with me! I sold out my merchandise and closed my retail store 4 years ago. A big part of that decision was because I had to "live" 6-9 months in advance in order to be able to have merchandise in place for the holidays (any holiday). I was sick, sick, sick of living my life in fast forward. It really is such a symptom of the world today...no one lives this day, the only day we have for sure. So, I too will be staying as far away from "holiday" of any sort merchandise until at least September. For now I am enjoying summer (day 1 of it acutally) in slow motion as much as possible. Thanks for tattling!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Well I am just back from vacay and had today off and was thinking of swinging over to HL. Maybe not!!! I am so not wanting to see Christmas right now. It is waaaayyy too soon!

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