Christmas decorations before Remembrance Day

[DownhillGoat]

Don't know if this warrants it's own thread but I didn't want to hijack other threads for it.

There's a lot of pictures floating around Facebook, and seems to be general sentiment among people I know, that putting up Christmas decorations prior to November 11 is disrespecting our veterans or diminishing Remembrance Day.

I'm curious to get CP's take on this (I know we have some vets on the site and folks currently in the service too, I'd love to hear their input). Personally I don't feel that Christmas needs virtually 2 months to have decorations up for, but I also don't see how Christmas decorations and showing respect for those that fought or gave their lives for our country are mutually exclusive.

Am I completely missing something? Thoughts?

[adc]

Of course it doesn't disrespect the veterans.

It is a typical faux outrage cause that people get behind on facebook because they think it makes them look like someone who cares.

Christmas decorations have zero to do with Rememberance Day, zero to do with honoring Veterans.

[GGG]

It's not disrespectful.

What is disrespectful is using Remembrance Day as a method for you to complain about Christmas decorations being up to soon. Unless you are a veteran then you are stealing someone else's day to further your own agenda. I bet half the people reposting this stuff have not cared about Remembrance Day before

I would like to hear captains and undercover brothers (or other veterans) opinion though as if they are offended by it then we should think about it.

[Finger Cookin]

Not a big deal.

[Poe969]

I don't think it does at all. It's not like they're doing anything specifically to belittle veterans or make light of the situation. Let's face it, fall is somewhat depressing for a lot of people. The weather isn't the nicest, kids are hating school more so because they can still remember summer, the Flames suck this year, it's getting dark early so you can't spend much time outside if it ever is nice out... I mean there are a lot of negative things going on, some people just want something to be happy about and love Christmas. Being able to have something to look forward to is a way that people deal with things and it has nothing to do with anything else. Now if they were to have a Christmas Parade on Remembrance Day, that would be a little disrespectful.

[DeanOMac]

I accidentally voted yes. I do think you should wait until after Rememberance day to decorate, let them have their day.

However, when someone does put up Christmas decor prior to Rememberance day, I don't think they are disrespecting veterans or the armed forces.

[You Need a Thneed]

It's more disrespectful of Christmas than of Remembrance Day and our veterans.

That being said, stores should hold off on selling decorations until the middle of November.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Nope. Two very separate things.

You know what DOES show disrespect to Veterans?

Not taking a moment (publicly or privately) on Remembrance Day to honestly reflect on the sacrifices and contributions made by by service members and those who support them.

I'm not a "Rah rah, rally around the troops" kind of guy, but I can't tell you how much I appreciate the almost inconceivable things our armed forces have done for the sake of the greater good.

[Hockeyguy15]

Not disrespectful, but I find it poor taste. I just think it's hard enough for the troops and veterans to get recognition without Christmas muddying the waters.

Have Remembrance Day then onto Christmas.

[Robbob]

I definitely put up my lights before the 11th, i just don't turn them on. Just easier before the snow typically flies. But yeah, i typically wait until well after for the rest because i procrastinate like the best if then. I think separate things. No reason you can't have a christmas house and wear a poppy at the same time.

[Coach]

I don't think it's disrespectful to veterans or anyone. People can leave their lights out all year for all I care.

That said, I think it's lame to put them up before December.

What I REALLY find gross is bars using Remembrance Day as a reason to have awesome drink specials and get everyone crunk. Those ads disgust me. Haven't heard any this year but last year I recall a few places having big bashes.

[Baron von Kriterium]

I am a currently serving member of the CAF and I voted no.

I don't quite understand this latest crusade against stores and their decorations, quite frankly. For the past several years now, I have coordinated Army participation for various Veterans' Week events. I can assure everyone that there is no disrespect for veterans. Quite the opposite, in my opinion. Based on the number of requests I receive for military members to speak at schools, service organizations, and seniors' residences, the respect appears to be increasing annually.

This year, the Flames/ Hitmen are honouring veterans on 6/7 Nov; the Stampeders have requested a colour party on 15 Nov; and the Dinos have requested colour parties for basketball and football games this weekend.

I have so many requests, I can't fill them all and it pains me to have to say 'no' to some schools.

[Tron_fdc]

I don't think it's particularly disrespectful. Maybe some of the vets can chime in here? I don't think it really takes away from remembrance day does it?

The reason I'm for it though is I get annoyed that immediately after halloween the christmas garbage comes out in the retail stores, and we're force fed another reason to spend a bunch of money. I'm also lazy, and the longer I can hold off on being told by the wife to decorate the house the better.

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I don't think it's particularly disrespectful. Maybe some of the vets can chime in here? I don't think it really takes away from remembrance day does it?

The reason I'm for it though is I get annoyed that immediately after halloween the christmas garbage comes out in the retail stores, and we're force fed another reason to spend a bunch of money. I'm also lazy, and the longer I can hold off on being told by the wife to decorate the house the better.

Just to put this into perspective, most stores have designated shelves for "seasonal goods". They rotate this stock based on the season so when Halloween is taken down it is time to put up Christmas. If they delayed putting Christmas goods out on display they would have to choose between leaving up a shelf partially full of leftover Halloween stuff that doesn't sell, leaving empty shelves or bringing in product to sell in between seasons. The first two options are obviously terrible leaving only the third. They would have to stock extra product and then spend a ton of hours putting it on the shelves only to take it down a few weeks later to put up the Christmas stuff. After that they have to find a place to store the filler product over Christmas so that they can put it out again in the new year to avoid offending anyone with their Valentines Day decorations.

There is no logical reason and no advantage to delaying putting your Christmas product on the shelves. Putting up decorations and playing music in the stores is a completely different issue and is generally delayed until later in November.

[FlamesAddiction]

I said no, but I don't like it. If I had it my way, there would be nothing before December.

[Huntingwhale]

I wouldn't say it's disrespectful. But it's annoying as hell when decorations go up so early.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I don't think it really takes away from remembrance day does it?

No.

[Nyah]

I don't think it's disrespectful, nor do I understand why people get annoyed by it. If someone on my block throws their lights & tree up early, it doesn't effect me at all. Who cares if some people go nuts over Christmas compared to others? When I was young, our tree & lights were up in early November because I had two little brothers that played hockey ALL the time, so there wasn't any time to do Christmas set-up with the family in December. I truly don't understand what some people have against early decorations?

[Lubicon]

My outside lights go up the first nice weather weekend we get in November, Sometimes that is before Remembrance Day sometimes not until near the end of the month. But nothing is turned on until December 1, and the inside of the house doesn't get decorated until then either.

[Daradon]

I don't think it disrespects veterans, but I think it's completely stupid. Dec 1st should be the first day Christmas decorations are 'allowed'. Let's make it a bill!

Back to the question, I would argue that both days are so different, one doesn't affect the other in the slightest. Also, decorations or not, no one is celebrating Christmas on Nov. 11th. I can't see how it's taking away from the solemnity or observation at all.