Summer Santa

As we enter into the dog days of August and move ever closer to autumn, we wistfully watch the summer slipping away. One thing I won't miss about July, however, is all the "Christmas in July" promotions. A recent article in the L.A. Times talked about how although it "tisn't the season," Christmas wares were being used to inspire sales and we saw quite an influx of Christmas in July deals here at Savings.com.

Personally, I can't wrap my head around stores playing "Jingle Bells" and "Let it Snow" while it's sunny and 85 degrees outside...

We've all experienced the "Christmas creep" where the start of the holiday season begins earlier and earlier this year. It used to start around Thanksgiving, but now angel ornaments and plush snowmen are mixed in with the Shrek masks and Fairy Princess tiaras. Christmas red and green competing with Halloween orange and black: not a pretty picture...

But although "Christmas in July" isn't a new idea, it certainly was more pervasive this year as retailers struggle to stay afloat in a dicey economy. At 24/7 Wall St., analysts warned that summer surge may kill jobs come October.

There are many people for whom getting a jump on the holidays is an attractive option. Although I can't quite muster the enthusiasm to shop while the sun shines, I can certainly see how avoiding the stress and the crush and hassle of the holiday shopping season (now starting at a department store near you this Labor Day) would be enticing. Over at Not Made of Money, they posted about the pros of getting a jump on Christmas in July.

I probably won't be ready for Christmas shopping until I've fully digested my Thanksgiving turkey--but how about you? When do you start your holiday shopping? Did you take advantage of any of the Christmas in July promotions?