Get ready, here it comes. I know the calendar says it is still mid-September, but apparently the holiday season has already begun.

I went shopping yesterday, luckily the shelves still have some Halloween costumes and candy corn – although it looked a little picked over, after all the Halloween display has been up since July – but a couple aisles over there was a display of Christmas trees, gift wrap and stockings. Every year, holiday displays seem to be set up earlier and earlier, and by the time the holidays are actually here, I’m sick of them.

Generally I love the holidays. I get to spend time with my family, and decorate the house, and it just puts me in a better mood, but there has to be a line somewhere. It’s getting to the point where items in the seasonal aisle are not for the season you’re currently in.

In late June, I decided I wanted to buy a kiddie swimming pool for my son. We had a hot summer, and after his day care took a trip to the local community pool, I knew he would enjoy a wading pool of his own. Of course, when I got to the store there were no pools. Back to school supplies (for the kids who had gotten out of school the day before) and Halloween costumes were already lining the shelves.