The harsh reality is that Christmas is far away. Before we even get there, we have to go through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and weeks upon weeks of hard school. This revelation is crushing for many people, but most of them can get over with it. But as they say, the first stage of grief is denial.

Nobody told the store owners that Christmas is a quarter of a year away, because if you walk into Walmart, wow! Don’t you love Christmas decorations in October? They don’t bring good tidings and joy during the scariest time of the year. All it does is make us pout and cry.

While we’re watching out and trying not to cry, why not have overly expensive decorations of the season? Hey, storeowners, you ever thought to sell Halloween decorations when everybody wants them? How many people want a Christmas tree in September? No matter how much they try, the store owners can shockingly not bring Christmas closer.

At the end of the day, they’re just harming the reputation of other holidays. Halloween, a break from the hectic aspects of life to go around and have a spook while getting candy. Stores have candy… but not much else. Instead of supporting the holiday, stores opt to ignore it by reminding you that the season of giving is coming up! And by “coming up”, I mean 3 months away. Naturally, that means that Christmas gear is the hot new thing, so thankfully Walmart has us covered.

All this raises an important question- what do you think Santa’s doing? At this time of year, he’s probably fattening himself up while his elves work away making toys and recruiting reindeer to pull him through the cold December night, 3 months away. I highly doubt he’s preparing to go drop off presents under the Christmas tree, and I doubt your parents are either.

Even more, this emphasis on a season that feels like it gets farther and farther away also removes emphasis from another holiday- Thanksgiving. Given how it is only 2 months away, it feels much closer than Christmas. But where are the turkeys? Oh, do my eyes deceive me? I spot no turkeys, no Pilgrims, no thanksgiving décor? But I do see Christmas décor!

Should this same sentiment of “sell décor of a holiday 3 months in advance” not apply to other holidays? Like, imagine this, you’re out doing Black Friday shopping and you come across Valentine’s Day décor. (That section is probably the only part of the store that isn’t bursting with people.) Why should Christmas get this treatment?

I’m a big supporter of holidays getting equal rights (Except for St. Patrick’s Day, even I have limits), so seeing this unfair treatment to great holidays like Halloween and April Fool’s Day, while other holidays like Christmas get this spotlight on them makes me weep. I will always stand for rights of holidays to have décor sold.

Ultimately, these stores do nothing but shine a spotlight on a season that doesn’t even need it. Pop culture has already shined that light on Christmas, and for what? To be completely fair, this decision to focus on December before it gets even the slightest bit cold outside has some benefits, though. At least we can cuddle up by the fire, with the Christmas Tree lit, enjoy hot cocoa, and watch The Polar Express on DVD (or your streaming service of choice), all before the temperature drops below 80 degrees.