Waiting For That Rocket

No, seriously. It is. Two months and six days, but in the retail world Christmas is next week. A recent National Retail Federation survey says that almost 40% of consumers will start their holiday shopping before Halloween.

Now, I can’t speak for everyone who works in retail, but this is a little daunting. For weeks already we’ve fielded, “when are you getting your ornaments in?” questions. We’ve been directed to start asking customers if they want gift receipts with their purchases. It’s October.

Don’t get me wrong. I love working the holidays. Twenty-four hours of Christmas music makes me want to stick a fork in my eye and 14 pallets of ornaments are enough to make even the stoic weep, but overall the good will that pervades the season is fantastic.

I’m just not quite mentally prepared for the three months of crazy that are about to descend upon me.