With Halloween merchandise hitting store shelves earlier each year, some people have already swapped their poolside time for pumpkin carving.
The perhaps premature arrival of fall-scented candles, spooky skeletons, bats and other decorations has been criticised by social media users in recent days.
“I love that Halloween decorations are already starting in August. I want to enjoy the summer while I can. [?]”A woman posted on X.
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Another user posted: “I can’t remember seeing leaves falling in August or Halloween decorations being pushed out in July. What on earth is going on?”
“Halloween decorations already out in August, enjoy the summer while you can,” one woman posted on X, with others reacting to the early Halloween decorations appearing in stores. (iStock)
“Personally I think it’s too early for Halloween, but not too early for fall decor in general,” one woman said.
“You guys’ enthusiasm for the years to pass by faster is so annoying because we’re already decorating for Halloween!” one user commented.
“They were decorating for Halloween at the beginning of July. Way too early,” another said.
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“We were discussing when to switch over from fall decor to Halloween decor and I said the weekend after Labor Day,” one user posted.
“Fall isn’t until September 22nd and it’s such a shame we have to wait that long to decorate for Halloween and fall,” one woman posted.
While some people on social media have expressed disgust at Halloween decorations appearing in stores so early, others seem to be getting ready for the spooky holiday. (iStock)
“There’s still more than a month of summer ahead, so please put away your holiday decorations and Halloween candy. Instead of always fast-forwarding to the next season, enjoy the current season,” one woman said.
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Stephanie Sommer, a New York-based clinical psychologist who specializes in mood and anxiety disorders in children, said there was “nothing inherently wrong” with starting Halloween decorations early, but that as a society, looking too far into the future could make some people feel anxious.
“Anxiety leads us into the future, but into a scary future,” Samar told Fox News Digital last year. “We [feel] We have not been prepared in some way. We think we will be OK, but our minds are telling us otherwise when we are stressed or anxious about something.”
Dr. Stephanie Sommer said seeing Halloween decorations in stores during the summer could make people feel stressed because it could trigger a feeling of unpreparedness for the upcoming event. (iStock)
Samar noted that with all the Halloween decorations, candy and costumes, people may already feel like they’ve “missed out” and are unprepared in some ways.
“Actually, if you don’t have a Halloween costume, you can probably make something up and be okay,” she said. “But we don’t think that’s the case. … When we look at the costumes around us, [could have you] I feel like it’s delayed.”
Samar suggested adopting a “one thing at a time” mindset and focusing on what’s happening “now.”
“Is this a problem now or a problem in the future?” Samar suggests people ask themselves. “Choosing a Halloween costume is a problem. [important] Or making sure there are enough supplies for the start of school?”
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Check the facts, Samar said. Ask yourself: “Is there evidence that you’re not preparing for the future? Was there ever a time when you weren’t prepared for Halloween? [or another moment]Analyze the facts before you worry.”
“If you’re really struggling with stress or anxiety, I’d recommend seeing a therapist,” she adds. “A therapist can help you examine and challenge helpful ways of thinking.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Samar for additional comment.
“Summer was cool, but now I’m ready for fall and Halloween decorations,” one woman at X said. (Mireia Kerrol Rovira)
Some shoppers said they were already preparing for the spooky season, with one man posting on X: “Just seeing Halloween decorations in the stores gives me hope that this summer heat will end someday.”
“I’m holding off. The stores are full of Halloween and fall decorations. I can’t wait to start shopping. I love fall and Halloween,” one user said.
Another person posted, “My fall/Halloween decorations are going down early this year.”
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“I need Halloween decorations too. It’s not too early,” one woman said.
“I used to work in retail and we always stocked a season ahead,” one woman explained. “Most stores are decorating for Halloween and fall, and I think more and more Christmas items are arriving every day.”
In 2024, Halloween will fall on a Thursday. (Jacqueline Bernas/Mireia Querol Rovira)
“It was cool for summer but now I’m ready for fall and Halloween decorations,” said another.
The autumnal equinox is Sunday, September 22nd.
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This year Halloween falls on a Thursday.
Fox News Digital’s Nicole Pelletiere contributed to this report.
