Shopping year-round is the key
By News Editor: Kayla McClain
Towards the end of October, you have your witch’s costume on, friends to accompany you with trick-or-treating, and scary movies lined up for a terrific Halloween. You expect to encounter countless ghosts, monsters, and the occasional child princess. Then, in the fall weather, you see a type of horror you were not expecting – Christmas shopping commercials.
It seems as though these annual advertisements about the latest toy going on sale and the ‘must-have’ updated technology always bombards television screens earlier and earlier every year. And every year, viewers either complain about the noise, or take the opportunity to get their Christmas shopping done. They get a bargain by doing so, but is it really necessary to send out Santa Claus when I’m still thinking about the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner?
I, for one, see both sides. Christmas shopping can be stressful, considering most of the time that family and friends want to give each other nothing but the perfect gifts. It doesn’t help that some of the gifts people want are the ones that are the most expensive. That’s where the sales come in handy. They allow faithful mothers to shop for their children and still pay the bills. Even working teenagers can save up their paychecks for something special to possibly return the favor. Without the early release shopping commercials, it’s possible that everyone can’t get what they need in time.
The timing of the ads is what peaks viewers’ attention in the first place. It sparks a part of them to think, “Oh, I should start looking at that silver necklace for my wife before it’s too late,” or something along those lines. Most have extremely busy lives and are crunched for time in going to the mall. By showing commercials months ahead, they could squeeze the time in to pick up the vintage action figure their son has been begging to have.
On the contrary, to me, this is a load of nonsense. I think it is most practical to do holiday shopping year-round, and having an overwhelming reminders of sales is unnecessary. If you keep an eye out throughout the year, Christmas shopping is a piece of cake.
For example, it was February and I was out grocery shopping at Wal-Mart where I just happened to come across a present I knew my friend would love. I got it then, and I didn’t have to worry about it later. If you have the money, get it right then and there. It’s the better way.
Another disastrous part about sales is the crowds. Just think about what it would be like to see that gift when sales are going on, and everyone from town is fighting to get that last one in stock. Starting commercials in October could be considered early, but it falls into the restless fights over sales. Nobody wants to see that, so buy the item when it’s not chaotic.
It’s probably cheaper to buy gifts earlier than when it gets closer to any holiday season, way less crowded than any mall you try to maneuver your way through, and you will be stress-free when Christmas comes around. When everyone else is scrambling for last minute gifts, you will be out enjoying your Halloween like you should be in October, without the help of any Christmas commercial.
