the spending season

i love christmas & everything it involves, don't get me wrong. the month of december is fabulous with holiday spirit, christmas shopping and decorating, buying a big evergreen, seeing the lights on people's lawns, hearing the carols on the radio - everything is magical. but what is the deal with this christmas music on the radio TODAY? seriously, it's november 15. people freaked out a couple years ago when christmas music began playing at midnight after thanksgiving, but this is absurd. i mean hearing bruce singing "you better watch out" before halloween? it's ridiculous. the economy might be horrible right now - the worst its been in a long time - but that does not mean it's ok to try to incite people with the "spending season." is that what christmas has become? the spending season? it's pathetic. the toys r'us big toy book used to be what everyone looked forward to the first week in december. now it's sitting on living room tables collecting dust because children have already sent santa their christmas list. the holiday season - whether or not it's christmas you look forward to - is being ruined by money. money can't buy you happiness. yes, it might be a cliche, but it's true. getting the economy to bounce back is a priority right now, but it should not have to involve lessening the spirit of christmastime.