Early Christmas music: Not everyone's a fan

AUBURN — British psychologist Linda Blair would approve of Kmart’s holiday music policy — and Walmart’s and Petco’s.

At Kmart on Monday, Christmas music was playing only sporadically.

At Petco, holiday tunes were playing, but softly.

At Walmart, cashiers were wearing festive reindeer or elf hats, but there was no Christmas music.

Songs such as “Frosty” and “Jingle Bell Rock” won’t be played until after Thanksgiving, at 12:01 a.m. Friday, said the store manager, adding that it’s the order from headquarters.

Thank goodness, sighed a nearby worker, who said she and her husband were eating at Wendy’s the other day and Christmas music was blaring. “Seriously!” she said. “Can’t we get through Thanksgiving!”

At Kohl’s on Monday, “Joy to the World” and other holiday music played on. The Christmas music in Kohl’s has been playing for weeks.

Blair (see related story) said too much holiday music too early can be stressful and draining for some. To combat that, businesses might consider holding off until the season starts or turning down the volume or interspersing Christmas songs with other music.

Kmart Store Manager Joyce Beane said she likes her store’s policy of only occasional Christmas songs until Black Friday.

“Working on the floor, putting out toys, I don’t mind hearing it occasionally,” Beane said. “It’s kind of getting us in the mood.” Until the shopping season officially begins on Black Friday, “I wouldn’t want to hear it all the time.”

At Petco, where the music was low, store manager Ashley Durrell said she hadn’t heard feedback from customers. The Christmas music “gets us in the mood,” she said.

Betty Sult of Lewiston, who was getting pooch Maggie’s nails trimmed, smiled when asked about Christmas music. “I love it,” she said.

Her husband, Chuck, was less enthused, as indicated by the look on his face. He works in retail. Where he works, Christmas music has “been on for a while,” he said. “After a while it gets to be too much. They put out the Christmas decorations before Halloween.”

Steve Woodard of Turner said early holiday music doesn’t bother him. “Whatever they want to do, it’s their store.”

In the Walmart parking lot, as she put her bags into her car, Doris Jordan said Christmas music “should be after Thanksgiving.”

Ted Smith of Litchfield couldn’t agree more. He said he prefers Christmas music to start after Thanksgiving. “I’m not a Scrooge,” he said. “It’s too early!”

His wife, Muriel Smith, said, “I could listen to Christmas music all year.” But it ought to start after Thanksgiving, she said. “Everything’s so early now. They have Christmas stuff out before the Halloween stuff is put away.”

The Sun Journal ran a query asking readers when Christmas music should begin, and which songs readers thought were the best and worst. Several said the start date should be after turkey day.

Roger Philippon said he loves Christmas music and starts listening the day after Thanksgiving.

His favorites are the traditional, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” a song that goes back to the 8th century, Philippon said. Also, “Mille Cherubini In Coro,” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” sung by the late Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Tony the Tiger. (Who knew?!)

Philippon’s least favorite: “Feliz Navidad” and “A Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney. “That god-awful, whining and painful “SIIIIIIIIMPLY HAAAAAAAAAAVING” has me reaching for my Advil,” Philippon said. “McCartney owes us all an apology.”

Barbara Dupee Kazimer said if she were to hear “The 12 Days of Christmas” multiple times “it would send me over the edge!”

Dana Michael Young Coffin is not a fan of “Frosty” and “Rudolph.” The best Christmas music, he said includes “O Holy Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Silent Night.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

Dog owners Betty and Chuck Sult of Lewiston, holding Maggie and Molly, shopped in Petco on Monday as Christmas music played. “I love it,” Betty said of holiday music. Chuck, who works in retail, said the music is played too early. “After a while it gets to be too much,” he said. (Bonnie Washuk/Sun Journal)

Shoppers Muriel and Tim Smith of Litchfield said Christmas music should start after Thanksgiving. Muriel said she loves holiday tunes and could listen to it them all year, but she thinks some retailers start too early. (Bonnnie Washuk/Sun Journal)

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