Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Time to Get Serious About Holiday Shoppping!

Alison Palmer • Dec 08, 2017

Holiday Shopping Begins Earlier Every Year – Thanks to Retailers Everywhere I grew up in central Connecticut and my childhood was in the ’50s.  Tradition back then dictated that the holiday season began Thanksgiving week.  There would be a holiday parade through our downtown and it ended with a sleigh that brought Santa to town.  […] The post Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Time to Get Serious About Holiday Shoppping! appeared first on Custom Maid.

Holiday Shopping Begins Earlier Every Year – Thanks to Retailers Everywhere

I grew up in central Connecticut and my childhood was in the ’50s.  Tradition back then dictated that the holiday season began Thanksgiving week.  There would be a holiday parade through our downtown and it ended with a sleigh that brought Santa to town.  My dad owned a small men’s clothing store in the center of town (population 60,000) so our family was very attuned to holiday shopping habits.

I’m not sure when the term Black Friday was coined, but I can say for sure, it was not around when I was a kid.  There was certainly nothing called Christmas in July!  Local retailers were quite busy all during the December holiday shopping season.  After all, it was compressed into the three or four weeks after Turkey Day.

Holiday Shopping in the Good Old Days

My town did not have a mall.  Everyone shopped downtown.  Then malls and big box stores took over, not to mention TV shopping channels.  They now do a “soft launch” in July and get dead serious about holiday shopping sales as soon as the final trick or treater has arrived home safely.

I remember that Christmas decorations were festooned on the light posts all along main street by the last week in November.  Stores decorated their window displays.  And holiday shopping would then begin in earnest.

Families decorated their yards and houses after Thanksgiving.  People would set up their Christmas trees about a week or two before the actual day and NEVER stayed up past January first.

This Year the Holidays Have Sneaked Up on Us

Although it’s true that retailers decorated their stores in October.  Black Friday began mid November and continues still.  But, the weather has been warm until this week.  In spite of all the visual cues that holiday shopping time is fast approaching, we ignored the TV ads, direct mail flyers and sparkling lights.  Instead you went for a walk on balmy afternoons.

It has finally occurred to you that you have not picked out any gifts yet.  Your gift list includes your mom, two adult sisters and your Granny who lives in Iowa.  OMG!!!  I can give you the perfect solution for all of those family members.  Every woman you know would be thrilled to get a few extra hours in the week.  She works and shops and takes care of her family.  There is laundry, cooking and getting kids to soccer practice.  So give your loved ones the gift of time!

Housecleaning Gift Certificates Make Great Gifts

Custom Maid has a Black Friday (yes still!) special on three man hours of housecleaning.  You can purchase a gift certificate for an hour and a half of housecleaning by a team of two for only $99.  Normally it would cost $135.  Pair this with a second gift card for a lovely spa experience and the women in your life will be thrilled!

What about Granny in Iowa?  The Association of Residential Cleaning Services International has a button on their home page that says “Find a Cleaning Service in My Area”.  Just plug in Granny’s zip code and ARCSI will show you their members in that area.  Members offer residential cleaning services by well trained technicians.

You will have no wrapping to do, no worries about gifts not arriving on time.  For that one very special woman (Mom, wife) you might want to consider giving six months or a year of recurring housecleaning service.  Our office can give you a price and you may either pay as each cleaning is completed, or pay six months in advance and get one FREE cleaning at the end!

Holiday Shopping Does Not End at Christmas

Plan ahead for the coming year.  A housecleaning gift certificate makes a great gift for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Birthdays and just because she’s important to you.

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