Um, no. I've been seeing Christmas displays pop up in stores since September. They really hate years like this which have a shorter Christmas season (since Thanksgiving fell late).

When you can find Christmas candy and Halloween candy in the same story aisle, there's no "sneaking" involved.

I try to spend as little time in stores as possible. Get in, get the diapers and get out.

You do see it early and then kind of don't pay enough attention and then -- whoops, Thanksgiving is over, it's Dec. and the kids . . . well, let's just say THEY know Christmas is coming soon!

Personally, I'm looking forward to Christmas this year. Haven't hit that "I don't feel very Christmasy" feeling this year. Not spending very much money -- at least don't plan to -- but expecting a good holiday.

Although I CANNOT reconcile myself to the marshmallow peep stuff being made into green Christmas trees. No, no, no.

(P.S. An angry ninja??? Been nagging at me all day. What . . . I . . but . . . very confused.)

By the way, that nutcracker (?) is absolutely terrifying. From what unspeakable horror did that thing emerge?

Hal, I'm guessing, from an artist that has seen the ballet "Nutcracker" as many times as I have. It's inherently evil.