Shopping for Halloween and Around the Corner was Christmas!
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
United States
October 19, 2008 10:49am CST
When shopping this weekend I found a few things for Halloween that could be used for decorations and for the goodie bags. I love to hand out bags of goodies rather than a handful or piece of candy. When I was a child I remember how much I enjoyed getting a bag with goodies inside. It was a thrill. I try to fill the bags with candy and little prizes. Some of the things I have purchased are Tootsie Pops, pencils, pads, stickers and candy bars.
Of course when we rounded the corner of the Halloween aisle there were only a few Thanksgiving items that lead to a display of Christmas decorations. Looking beyond that there was glittering and twinkling of lights that drew the shopper into the Christmas section. Of course you were drawn to this display and you have to look. One of the other shoppers that I encountered said that they were lost and somehow ended up in the Christmas section. Good excuse!
I did browse over the new items and thought about purchasing a few of them before they were sold out. Whenever I find something new that I want for decorating it seems they sell out before I purchase them. But, the frugal side of me kept from spending the money on the things I thought I really needed. We just bought new LED lights last year to conserve on energy, so we really didn't need the new snowflake lights. But, if they are still there in November...they are mine (along with the blue ornaments and the snowflake tinsel!).
5 people like this
25 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
I do enjoy looking at the items early so I can get an idea of what I want to do with decorating from year to year.
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
19 Oct 08
That sort of thing is happening earlier every year. It is almost funny. We have a radio station here. It has been playing nothing but Christmas music since the beginning of October. It's not even Halloween yet!
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
You have got to be kidding me! Now, I truly enjoy Christmas music, but October is a bit too early to start playing/listening to it!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157624)
• United States
19 Oct 08
I get into the Christmas music, practicing it for church occasions. We start in September. In July 2007 I ran across a station playing Christmas music. That was too much.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
Well you do hear about Christmas in July sales events. Perhaps they were playing it for that purpose. Still I think that it is way too much.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157624)
• United States
19 Oct 08
No one is home here on Halloween, so I do not do much about it. I have gotten things and made up bags or treats for the grandkids that live here in town. I have some things for Thanksgiving, which seems to be our biggest holiday, and then I will think about Christmas. I have tons of stuff, and would really like to make some things. I just refuse to; put it ahead of Thanksgiving, which is important to me both for the attitude of gratitude and for the family birthdays that surround it.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
I do enjoy gathering with family at Thanksgiving. I remember the warmth and togetherness of the season.
2 people like this
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
24 Oct 08
I have seen several store that had their christmas stuff out just as soon as they put out their halloween stuff. I do like to start my christmas shopping early but as far as decorations go I usualy do not put them out untill after thanksgiving and will have them packed away by the 26th.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
25 Oct 08
We don't decorate until the day after Thanksgiving. Hubby gets the urge to do so sooner though. I have come home from work to find the tree up the week before Thanksgiving. No decorations were on it. He just wanted to "air" it out.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
Many of the hobby stores have items out for sale so the crafters can get a jump start on their craft work. I prefer to buy any materials ahead of time so I have them on hand when I want to start a project. The problem with that is I often forget I have these items and go out and purchase more.
1 person likes this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
19 Oct 08
The so-called "12 days of Christmas" end up being 2 months in North America. I wonder if it's the same in Europe?
I think it's crazy when as soon as Hallowe'en is over, we're inundated with Christmas. I feel bad for those who don't celebrate or who have a hard time with the season, because it's being slammed in their faces everywhere they turn.
If you want to redecorate for xmas, and want the good stuff, you have to be prepared to buy it the first week of November. I was going to do that this year for my tree, and go with a silver and blue theme (I currently have gold and burgandy), however, finances are tight this year, and it will have to wait until next year.
Sometimes I get lucky, and I score some fantastic items AFTER Christmas.. .then I pack them up with my decorations, and get a nice surprise the following year.
I like your idea of handing out goody bags for the kids. I end up with around 75 to 100 kids come through my place on good weather nights, so I'm not prepared to buy that many pencils and stuff. Granted, I made them up for my sons' classes two years ago. That was fun.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
We have so many different colored decorations that we have stocked up on. But, when you go out and look at what is "new" you always "think" you need to have it. Finances may keep us from purchasing new items this year.
2 people like this
@CanadaGal (4304)
• Canada
23 Oct 08
Oh, I think I need all sorts of stuff when I go shopping all year round!
2 people like this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
19 Oct 08
I do not think it is too early for Christmas items being sold or being played. I think it is a good idea as many people want to get their christmas shopping done early to avoid the long lines and traffic problems later on. It is funny to be shopping for halloween and have christmas stuff close together. it sounds like you had a good time shopping and I bet you saw some new and neat things in the various sections. Halloween was fun when being a child. We do not get very many kids here so most of the people in my townhouse section do not hand out candy.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
I do want to get some of the shopping started so I don't have to buy everything at once. Even though I am working and the hubby has a part-time job, we face the high cost of heating our home. That will take a big chunk out of the paycheck. Purchasing items for gift giving ahead of time is great if you have the money to do it. I try to buy a little at a time. I do have quite a few "useful" items that I found on clearance or for a price that was too good to pass by.
Good to see you drop by Ken. I was just thinking of you a few minutes ago wondering how you were doing.
2 people like this
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
23 Oct 08
I have decided to be very frugal this year. Of course I will fill little goody bags for the children at Halloween and I have lots of little toys which I got from McDonalds over the years, so I can use these in the bags as well as sweets etc...my way of recycling. After last weeks very severe budget which our government brought out, I think I will be avoiding the shops this Christmas as will lots of the Irish population. I usually love to go into town at Christmas but if I do, I will come home with a car laden down with goodies and that's not on this Christmas as we could all be jobless and homeless in the very near future.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
24 Oct 08
That is a great idea for using those McDonald's toys. I had been putting them into the kids stockings!
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
23 Oct 08
It really bothers me how the merchants rush the seasons. Some stores in my area had Christmas items out a month ago! It was 80 degrees outside, mid-September and there were Christmas trees (artificial), ornaments, and other Christmas items in the stores! I remember one year I was going on a ski vacatin in February and needed to get a few warm items of clothing. HA HA...it was impossible as the stores were full of swimsuits and halter tops!
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
24 Oct 08
They always want to get ahead of the season by displaying the new items. I remember last winter I needed to get new mittens for my grandson. There were plenty of spring clothes on the racks, but not a mitten was found!
1 person likes this
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
19 Oct 08
I love to look at Christmas decorations. I was in Menards a couple of weeks ago. I purposely walked through their huge Christmas section. They were even playing Christmas music as you walked through that area. Then it got stuck in my head, and I caught myself humming some little Christmas jingle. As I was walking to the checkout a little bit later, I thought oh my goodness. People probably thought I was kind of goofy walking through the store humming Christmas music at the beginning of October. Oh well!
I like your idea of little gift bags for Halloween. I probably won't get many trick or treaters, so it wouldn't be too expensive to do. Maybe I'll get some of those party favors in the birthday section where they have like 10 of one item in a pack.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! Have a great day, and of course a Happy Halloween!
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
19 Oct 08
We get very few tricksters here too. I like to make it worth their while.
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
21 Oct 08
That is really nice of you to hand out goodie bags for Halloween. I can tell you that my daughter is thrilled whenever she gets a goodie bag rather than just a piece of candy.
You are right about the Christmas stuff being out already! It is fun to go threw and see the new Christmas stuff. I have buckets and buckets of Christmas Decorations, so I usually don't splurge and buy new decorations. I did buy some snowflake lights last year (after Christmas on Clearance). I can't wiat to put them in my yard.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
21 Oct 08
We found some great snowflake lights to hang this year. They are about 7 inches in diameter each. They are LED lights too so they will save electricity.
1 person likes this
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
19 Oct 08
I'll wait until after the holidays and get decorations for half price or less. I can't always find what I want, but I'm patient, and I can wait and hunt until I find what I'm looking for. Last January, we bought an artificial tree for 75% off the original price. I like real trees, and we'll probably get a live one for the living room, but I want to put the artificial one in the rec room.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I haven't had a fresh cut tree in over 15 years. I bought one so my kids could experience having one. We always had an artificial tree. The clean-up was a pain in the backside.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
20 Oct 08
It's funny you would mention this...I too was shopping for halloween goodies and as I rounded the corner...yep! you guessed it...Christmas was there.....*smiles*..I turned around and stayed where I was....I am not ready for Christmas...I got my halloween goodies and high tailed it home....Ha Ha...
I too usually miss out on all the new items...usually because I don't have the money or don't want to spend it....
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I am sucker for new ornaments. If a store has them on display you can be assured that I will be there to check them out.
1 person likes this
@aconner (218)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Hello ElusiveButterfly. I won't be giving out goodies at home this year. I'm dressing up as a chicken (homemade costume) and giving out goodies and hosting games at a church event. I'm excited and get to see a lot more children than I would if I were to stay at home.
About the Christmas thing, I love looking at Christmas stuff as well but I am going to attempt at avoiding it this year. I have plenty from last year I can use. I don't have the money to be spending on gifts let a lone decorations this year. I already have a few musical stuffed animals for the kids in my family but as for the adults they will be getting some baked goods. I am going frugal this year. My hubby is going to be stepping down from his position (being paid salary) so that he can attend school full time. I need to save all the money I can to prepare for that time.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Homemade items are always a good idea when it comes to gift giving. In past years I made a special goodie basket for the kids too. The kids were delighted to receive their own basket.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Isn't it something the way time flies. It seems like summer just got here and here it is fall. Christmas will he here before we can blink. I love Halloween,its just a fun holiday, for anybody. My grandson and I looked at Halloween stuff today, we had fun. Look at the way time has flown by since we joined mylot. We have seen lots of folks come and go and here we still are. I have been out of town for close to 2 weeks, I really missed everyone. BTW, thanks for the BR. Take care EB, its always nice seeing you still around.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I have been busy with "life" and had to take time away from the computer. I thought it was going to be extremely difficult, but I managed. Although, I really missed my friends here. It is not all about the earnings. Friendships are worth more.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I am always glad to see you drop by. The old crew is still hanging around. I miss those that have drifted away.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
One of my clients have a small tabletop fibre optic tree. She loves it. Says it is just enough for her.
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I love the christmas music...I often play it in the summer for a change (I never said I was normal)....most people get tired of it long before I do.
One of my pet peeves is that comes December 26 no one plays any Christmas music....it is still CHristmas week..I need a gradual phase out...none of the cold turkey stuff.
As for Christmas decorations..I started planning them in August.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I listen to Christmas music starting November and through the New Year. Keeps my spirits lifted.
@mflower2053 (3223)
• United States
20 Oct 08
yep its hard to believe Christmas is only 9 weeks away. I still have alot of stuff to buy but I have started Christmas shopping already. I usually wait until the day after Thanksgiving to start Christmas shopping but this year I won't be in my area to shop which is kind of upsetting lol. I love my deals. As far as decorations I like going shopping the day after Christmas and getting things for alot cheaper. Sometimes you can even get giftbaskets for .50 cents that are filled with lotion or soap that can be giving the following year. Its nice to have on hand just in case you need a last minute gift. Some don't have any signs of Christmas and can be giving for birthday gifts.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I try to scoop up a few bargains throughout the year. Last year I did manage to get some nice evergreen garlands for 75% off! They will look great above the fireplace.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I've noticed that too - several isles halloween, 1-2 T-day and then couple Xmas
isles. I always ait and buy after the holiday and have new stuff for the next year! Only way I can afford to decorate! But good bargains this year means good decorations hnext year - just do it a year or two and then it is just fun.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I try to stash away a little cash for the post holiday sales. Unfortunately other things come up like the heating bill and the stash disappears.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
20 Oct 08
Yeah, been there, had to do that too! there are always priorities. Can't be helped. I don't care much for the halloween holiday anyway, so I only decorate minimul anyway - but at christmas, after holiday sales are the only way I can get any for next year. I always watch yard sales in the summer for holiday stuff - quite a common item in the sales.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I don't get to tag sales as much as I would like to. But I do know that you can find some really great decorations at them.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
20 Oct 08
Oh these shop people know what they are doing when it comes to these festive times of the year. They place everything just so don't they so that we stumble from the halloween section and surprisingly find ourselves faced with christmas all in a few short steps, and how can we resist those lovely shiny, singing, sparkly decorations that we do not need but know would look so pretty in our houses. Can you tell I got caught out!!!
I love what you do for halloween, that is so sweet, I am not much for the celebration of it, but you know you make me want to do something nice for the kids in my street, and that is not like me at all at halloween. I usually just shut the curtains and stick a notice on my door!
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
20 Oct 08
I love to see the faces of the children as I hand them a bag loaded with goodies.
