It’s almost time to go back to school! Very excited. New faces, new challenges. However, is it really necessary to bring out back to school ads, supplies, backpacks, etcetera by July 4th? As a teacher it evokes panic. For children it’s like some insane cosmic joke. For parents, possibly a comfort to know that September will be here before you know it. It’s mid-August and if you haven’t stocked up on crayons, notebooks and lunch boxes you’re out of luck. It’s like trying to buy a bathing suit in July. What? You didn’t purchase your suit in March? No pool for you this summer sucker!

Then yesterday I made a trip to my local super market. The school supplies are gone. There are a few dishevelled backpacks strewn about the floor and couple boxes of broken crayons. There is, however, an abundance of Halloween candy, costumes, and decor. It is August 14. Who has time to think of Halloween? Who is buying Halloween candy (which I assume will be less than fresh by October 31)? Who I am kidding — Halloween candy bought today would last until about 11pm in my house. Who has cash for a costume after spending a mini fortune on back-to-school clothes?

I can’t even get into the Halloween spirit until the middle of October. I need crisp fall weather. Red and orange leaves crunching beneath my brown leather boots. The smell of wood-burning stoves and apple cider. I know it’s only a few weeks before those inflatable snowmen appear on store shelves.

I have an aunt who is done Christmas shopping in July because she despises holiday shopping crowds. I get the whole “get it done now” mantra, but aren’t retailers and manufactures going to the extremes?  They’re taking the fun out of holidays and the change of season — and, at least for me, causing major consumer stress.

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