Here’s the deal. I went to the grocery store last week and noticed that the Halloween aisle was up and running. And why not? I know that whenever the first week of September rolls around, I’m always thinking…I better hurry up and buy my Halloween costume. I should stock up on those bite size Kit Kats before they sell out. I need me some spooky decorations ASAP!
Unless you’re eleven years old or a budding serial killer – you probably aren’t trying on Halloween costumes two months in advance. And who among us needs eight weeks to sort out our cob web and plastic cauldron purchases? Not to mention the fact that if you’re buying trick or treat candy sixty days early…let’s be honest…you’re going to eat that candy and then buy some more a few days before Halloween.
It seems that holiday products go on sale earlier and earlier each year. (Or, if you shop at the 99 Cent Store, you can buy Valentines and Easter egg kits year round). It wasn’t this way when I was a tot. Each holiday was special and we looked forward to that limited amount of time when decorations go up and products go on sale. Now, the retailers are diluting the holiday excitement. If you have Halloween junk on sale for two months, we’ll be sick of Halloween before it gets here. Mid October will roll around and we’ll be thinking, “Is that Halloween candy still on sale? Hasn’t that holiday happened yet?”
Stop watering down our holidays.
Nothing says September like...
It’s the egg nog principle. Egg nog is a special holiday treat. It’s only on sale for a limited amount of time. If egg nog were available year round (and, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I haven’t included this wish in my nightly prayers for decades) it would no longer feel special. It’s simple math. The more something is available, the less special it is. Halloween is a top holiday for kids. I’d bet that for most children it is second only to Christmas. Put on a cool costume and get free candy? It’s freakin’ awesome. But if we extend this thing into summer, it really starts to lose its charm.
If paper skeleton cut outs are available before we can finish planning our Labor Day barbecue – how can we be expected to keep anything straight? Anticipation is a great thing, but if kids start planning their trick or treat routes before they go back to school….the hype will wear everyone out before the actual date of celebration arrives.
So, how am I going to do it? How will I push the sale of Halloween products back into October, where they belong? I don’t know. I’ve entertained some crazy schemes involving on-line campaigns, reverse psychology marketing ploys and an overly complex ruse to hide the products with a strategically placed series of full-length mirrors…but I might be over-thinking it. I’m going to try something new this time. Something simple. A time honored tradition we learn when we’re young enough to get excited about a holiday that’s main appeal is a bag of second-rate candy. I’m going to ask nicely. I’m going to say please. And if that doesn’t work – I’ll TP and egg them.
MAKYA MCBEE VS. 