Essays & General Comments 08-07-05 CHRISTMAS LAUNCH: OR NOT? (July 05, 2008)
I am a little concerned that the big offers from Do-Craft this month sees the launch of Christmas stuff.
I always think the big Christmas push starts too early. OK ,so you can buy the saving stamps and put a bit of money by each week all year, but I mean the big all planning, all showing, all listing type stuff.
90% of the stuff on offer this month is designed with Christmas in mind. do we even need to think about it: let alone buy it? This is a well known quiet time in the card shops - there is no 'event on the horizon, and people are starting to plan summer holidays, so I can see that Do-Craft think they have spotted a gap and want to boost sales.
The stories all over the news at the moment are about the cash crunch. We are all having to pay more for petrol, gas, electric, food never mind what is happening to mortgages. The last thing on out minds is spending extra money for something we are not even going to need for another 6 MONTHS. Yes, December does not even start for another 5 months, there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge until then.
We are being told every day that things are going to get worse before they get better, so I think the wise among us are going to 'trim' our spending for a while. Although I have bought a new pad (1) and some new borders (1) this week, I am digging about through the papers I already have and using up loads. I will buy a few bits that I can see will get loads of use - but NO Christmas stuff. In fact (apart from 1 Woodware set I have my eye on), I may not buy much Christmas stuff at all. My mate Dissy sells selections from packs so you don't get stuck with loads you don't need - I may get a couple of small selections from her, but I don't intend on buying big packs.
It's the poor old craft stockists - particularly the smaller shops- that will really feel the pinch. They have to buy loads of stock to take part in the Do-Crafts promotions and if it does not sell - they are going to be stuck with it for ages. I can see many dropping out of the promotion, before they get further into trouble
And it's the knock on effect on families that should be of the greatest concern. If things are a bit tight now - and you start the build up to Christmas - things are only going to get tighter - and you will end up pinning all you hopes and dreams on the wonderful time you are going to have. One last blow out of a party with too much food and booze, tons of prezzies for all, everyone getting on well and having a great time. Poor old Christmas does not stand a chance of living up to all those expectations: the turkey's stuffed before we even begin.
I extend apologies to Do-Craft and all the people who always plan a big Christmas every year - I know some love it - but I won't be getting involved until I have done a lot of summer stuff. Hot, zingy, vibrant colours; full bloomed flower shows, splashing about in paddling pools; palm trees and sand; buzzy bees and blue sky's.
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