It's only September but I've already seen some Halloween decorations up on people's houses! I know Halloween is a lot bigger here in the US than the UK, but it's still 6 weeks away. Is this normal?

Yes

Afraid so.

I still haven't been able to find anyone who can adequately expain why they make such a bloody fuss about it either.

We like holidays. And ugly sweaters. And our puritanical roots are titillated by the occult.

Well it's not even a holiday, is it? At least in Blighty we got off school for half term. Maybe if I got a day off work for it I might not be quite so annoyed that I'm expected to encourage my son to wander up and down the street dressed like a tw@ bothering people for sweets he really doesn't need.

Or then there are the pumpkins we buy that he always forgets to carve that then go off in the garage and stink the place up.

Can't really see the point myself. But then I'm not very nice.

I'm going all out for Halloween now I live here. I always feel "christmassy" round about Oct/Nov (i.e want a party) but I don't like Christmas all that much as my birthday is 2 days after it. I've bought some cracking decorations and am going all out with the pumpkin carving and the kids costumes for trick or treating. Although I won't actually be starting on any of this until well into October.

My aunt emigrated to Florida about 5 years ago, and she has noticed Halloween has got earlier and more commercialised as years have passed. They now make sure they're out on Halloween evening, 'cos apparently the local papers in her area publish which estates are the most generous in terms of sweets, and consequently bus loads of kids arrive with pillowcases for their sweets, and are lined up at the end of your drive, to knock at your door at 10 second intervals! She said she spent about $25 on sweets last year and they were gone in about 10 minutes!

I like Halloween here where we are in the UK. The little kids make such a big effort with their costumes and it's nice to see, but we only get about 10 or so people knocking at the door, so it's still a pleasant evening!

One way to look at it is that the year is chopped up into little segments based on the next holiday. Obviously this is driven by retail opportunities, the dollar stores/supermarkets/drugstores & Walmart & similar emporia want to sell seasonal stuff. As soon as one "holiday" has occurred, merchandise for the next one is showcased. People see the dreck next time they're in Walmart, they buy it, they put it up. So the next holiday is always anticipated even if it is over a month away.

Among the holidays (probably missing a few here) are Back to School -- Halloween -- Thanksgiving -- Christmas/Chanukah -- Valentines -- Easter -- Mothers Day (etc. etc.)

If only people would refrain from buying next-holiday crap they'd have more money available for essentials. (A nice bottle of AOC Juliénas instead of a run-of-the-mill Beaujolais, for instance.)

Sorry to mention it, but you forgot New Years Eve & NY Day, Fathers Day, 4th July, Memorial Day, Labor Day. and probably lots more.

I do get sick of seeing seasonal crap months before it's time for it. I don't dress up the house for any of the holidays. Ok, maybe one small flag for July 4th.

Once the Halloween candy runs out here, the front lights go off. You still get some joker knocking on the door though.

Really no need to apologise. It is hard to remember them all.

My Mother-In-Law has been buying all sorts of stuff for weeks now, but still has seven boxes full of things from last year in her garage. I know it's seven because I carried it all in there from her storage shed!

Talking of the "holidays" companies are always pushing, I was in Target last week, and there was a sign in the cards section saying "Get your cards for Grandparents Day". Grandparents Day? That one must have passed me by before!

yeah, just ask 'em in Salem...........

Grandparents Day is fairly recent, as is Secretary's Day, Sweetest Day and a few more I'm sure.

I got a call last Sunday from my 16 month old granddaughter wishing me Happy Grandparent's Day Grandma, at least I choose to believe that's what she said. She may well have said take a long walk off a short pier you old bint.

I think you may be right about the puritanical roots, its funny how it gets so watered down, so that now any old fancy dress is considered appropriate for Halloween.

and linking to another holiday soon after......
I stick my guy out on the deck sometime soon after Halloween, and everyone assumes it is for Halloween, at least V for Vendetta means there are some people who know what I am talking about when I say what it is. Still get shocked looks when I explain we burn an effigy

It makes the kids and hallmark/Hersheys happy.

And my Mrs likes it so you all better as well! Because if you don't she might force me to like it!


I suggested my daughter be a SWAT officer this year. Or maybe the Prophet Mohamed!