(ENDED) Countdown Contest: 38 Days Until Christmas

[SunshineGirl]

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

at least at Sunshine Rewards! Which makes me wonder, what is that first thing that you see every year that gets you thinking about Christmas. Is it the toys in every store? The cold weather creeping in? The Christmas Club check that officially starts your shopping?

Tell us what gets your Christmas Spirit started every year and one of you will randomly be chosen for a prize.

Standard rules apply:

http://www.sunshinerewardsforum.com/showthread.php?t=17569

[spring]

Definitely the Christmas Tree Displays that are in the stores, now even before Halloween.

[pbhall13]

Over the past few years (4 to be exact) we have been going to WDW the first week in November and when I see the decorations on Main STreet I know that the Season is fast approaching.........(*I love how overnight they change out the fall decorations to Christmas....so magical)

[mmm611]

The first snow of the season is what gets me in full gear. This year, it was a few days before Halloween. After that first snow, it's OK to pull out the holiday clothes, earrings, and music!

[bbangel]

When I start seeing signs for all the local craft fairs I know Christmas is coming.

[penn19]

The Hershey Kisses commercial. Where they are like little bells playing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

[askomsky]

It's the tv ads that the one local radio station starts playing letting everyone know that their playing Holiday music all day long. Usually they wait until after Thanksgiving, but the last 2 yrs they've started before. Whenever I hear the ad that sings "Everyone is having a wonderful Christmas time" I realize the holiday is fast approaching.

[jenvance]

When you are walking in the store and you start to hear Christmas music. I get that warm fuzzy feeling :) And start to get excited for Christmas and shopping!

[ligrumpygirl]

My birthday!! I REFUSE to even look at anything Christmas-y until after my birthday and these stores are not helping! Once Nov 9th hits, I can get into the spirit...but I do like to wait until Thanksgiving is over to decorate.

[aknight373]

I love when the city first starts putting lights up on the poles and the mall has santa clause come in!!!! I love christmas

[Arky]

It's the shopping. Oh what fun it is to shop for all the Christmas gifts! I love going to the stores and seeing the Christmas decorations.

[fourfoxesinpa]

My cousin is a Rockette and, for the past few years, we've been watching her dance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Once we've seen her and Santa, it's time to get excited for Christmas.

[disneymomma]

It doesn't feel like Christmas until the last guest leaves Thanksgiving evening. We load up the cd player with holiday music and get to work on the tree and other decorations. By the time we're finished, we're hungry again and ready to dig into a turkey sandwich!

[jl8595]

The first sign of Christmas for me is seeing the semi-trucks on the highway, stacked WAY high with Christmas trees...I see them and start thinking about all the people who will smile as they enjoy their yearly traditions.

[Alice28]

the decorations going up in the mall.

and Target bringing out the gift wrap aisle!

[barbaraapple]

For me it would have to be Black Friday , everyone grabbing up those sale items, the Christmas music and the decorations everywhere.... :love:

[julie007]

I would definately also say Black Friday. Start the day by getting bargins while DH and DD stay at home. Then get back put everything away, take a nap and start decorating!

[missymouse]

when the Christmas sales start. Unfortunately it is earlier every year. This year though it was when Tricia started the Countdown contests :sunshine2:

[metallicaruler80]

Putting up Christmas decorations in my house. Smelling the Christmas tree. And, of course seeing snow.:sunshine:

[memanana]

getting Santa's wish list from the grandkids and hearing Christmas music being played

[faithhope]

Christmas music... is what gets me started in the holiday mood.

[disney_girl]

When it gets cold enough that we start drinking hot cocoa (we don't normally drink it other than now).

[kxmeeh]

My Christmas season starts in July. We have a radio station that plays christmas music on july 25th. it reminds me it's time to start shopping. i usually buy one present per paycheck, and am usually finished when I go out on black friday. When most people are just starting, the only thing I have left is the gift cards I get....no stores needed.

[kimntrent]

It always bugs me when your Christmas stuff is out when Halloween is still in the stores. So as soon as Halloween is over I love walking through the aisles seeing the lights and trees and all those great things. I love smelling the cinnamon pine cones and candles. So to me the Holiday season starts the day after Halloween.

[dparra]

Christmas trees and decorations in the store before Halloween :rotfl: :)

[stacieps]

for me, when the local Holiday craft fairs start--we love going to those.

[tink1212]

Seeing Nov. 1st on the Calendar!! LOL Once Halloween has passed...it's time!!

[piglet-for-me]

For me, it's putting up the holiday decorations which go up usually the weekend of Thanksgiving. As much work as it is, that's when Christmas begins for me & my family.

[jendon1997]

The spot in the mall where the kids visit Santa is being put together. The kids stand and watch the people put it together. They would stand there all day if I would let them.

[zummi525]

when i start to see christmas displays even though i know they put them up in october i still start to get excited:banana:

[deana]

Christmas lights in town....:love:

[gpp2001]

Shopping for a Xmas tree on the weekend of DD birthday party.

[PSL1013]

We draw names in our family for gift giving...so usually in October sometime, we all get the person's name who we are Christmas shopping for. But I usually start my shopping sometime in June. :D

[Magical JenK]

Black Friday Shopping!

[Tiggerific711]

Putting up our Christmas tree. :christmas: It goes up the week before Thanksgiving now because one of my cats is nuts and likes to launch himself into the tree. I figure he'll have a week to get used to the tree and lights before we start decorating it.

[lkturner]

When the weather gets cold and I start feeling like baking pies and cookies again!

[leelee9878]

Black Friday...it makes me realize that Christmas is really almost here...and I love shopping, it is pure madness on that day.

[MdCaterer]

Our town has a tree lighting ceremony downtown the Saturday after Christmas. Santa always arrives ontop of one of the buildings everone gathers in the downtown center and we all sing Christmas Carols and some of the local businesses host open houses with decorated tree contests and they serve cookies and hot chocolate! It's hard not to be in the mood after that!!!

[zoodoyle]

The Mall Santa setting up shop :D

[sarah4770]

snow!
Cold nights
and Holiday food starts appearing in grocery stores

[linanglab]

Walking into the stores (usually not more than a day or 2 after halloween) and seeing the Christmas decorations and Christmas items that are for sale....

[shmily1]

My favorite time of Christmas and my final reminder that Christmas is coming soon is our annual trip to WDW, usually around 12/21, to go to MVMCP and check out all the Christmas decorations.

My first realization that Christmas is coming soon is the announcement of the dates for MVMCP!!!:love:

[bartleby1]

I think it is a mix between the christmas decorations in the stores/mall and the first Christmas songs I hear on the radio.

[~Kathie]

Seeing the holiday decorations being put up on the lights in town. The first snow. makes me want to put up my decorations....we haven't had one yet.

[3dog2kidmom]

For me it's the holiday commercials on TV and also the Christmas Club check so I can finally start shopping!

[Sahmy]

The day after Halloween. We take down the Halloween decorations and the Christmas ones start coming out.

[Sunni]

I have two....hearing my elementary chorus practicing holiday songs and when I start watching holiday movies.

[emtntn]

It has to be the Christmas trees sitting beside the Halloween candy at the stores.

[wenpop95]

I guess mine would be the day we get home from Thanksgiving. Sunday afternoon, I know it is time to go out and buy a tree, and then bring all my decorations down from the attic, that is what starts my Christmas season.
wendy

[jd3921fl]

Christmas Tree stands on each corner and at the local Lowes.

[mseg16222]

In our town they put up Christmas decoration, at the end of October beginning of November, on every telephone pole and across the main street. They don't light them till Thanksgiving night but seeing them up reminds me that Christmas is right around the corner.

[Soccer Princess]

It is also the day after Halloween for us as well. All Halloween/Fall decor comes down and we start decorating for Christmas!!! :) I also allow myself to start wrapping presents after Halloween as well!

[luvhockey]

As soon as Halloween is over and we start getting out Christmas items to sell at our cake and candy supply shop.

[bajam]

When I see Santa at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

[jo93]

When I start to see Christmas lights and decorations as I drive down the street at night.

[DarcyDog]

Christmas begins November 1. I love Halloween, but as soon as it's over I am in the Christmas spirit.

[toystoryduo]

When I start to see our neighbors putting up Christmas lights and I start hearing Christmas music where I shop.:christmas:

[mindyd2006]

As soon as I see the Christmas Merchandise up in the Store I know it is Christmas I get very excited like a little kid:D

[arob414]

I can't think of one specific thing that reminds me that Christmas is on the way but as a little girl, it was when the Christmas catalog arrived.

[Love2Shop]

All the Xmas themed commercials on tv! Doesn't matter if it's for certain stores, or toys or even cranberry soda. Once I start seeing those I start to think about shopping!:p

[Belle]

I would have to say the day after Halloween as well.

[jen2kids]

It is the wonderful smell of the pinecones when you walk into a craft store. The cinnamon smell makes me want to go home and start decorating.