Accelerated

Because nothing says: "End of Summer," like Halloween decorations.

Stopped by Costco last weekend, and the Halloween decorations were in full swing. The giant skeleton had already been around for nearly a month already, but the other characters had just put in their appearances. Since Halloween is has already been engulfed by the expanding Christmas shopping season, stores that want big Halloween sales have to start earlier. In Costco's case, this seasonal display is unlikely to interfere with Back-to-School, as the office and school supplies are typically found in another part of the warehouse.

I'd like to say that it was jarring to see the Halloween goods out so early, but this is just how Christmas is these days. As more and more money goes into it, the start of the shopping season moves ever sooner. I don't know if it will reach early August (or early July) at any point in my lifetime, but I don't think that it will surprise me if it does.