|
|
Post by kstrains on Oct 21, 2019 3:07:44 GMT
When I was Boy setting up our Christmas Train Layout did not happen until the first weekend in December. Now I start very early in the autumn months as my layout has grown and has become more complex in setting up.
In another thread today, I posted several pictures of Christmas village merchandise at Menards. As far as I could tell, no one was buying any Christmas Decorations at Menards except for me. When going up to the checkout, it almost feels weird purchasing Christmas Decorations this early. However, this is fairly normal for me to do each year. I shop stores such as Kohl's, Lowes, Walmart and others starting in late September to see what is new for Christmas Decorations.
I started laying out my track in September this year. I start early because I want everything done before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the holidays. I also don't like rushing on doing something I enjoy doing. I have a busy work schedule so I need to pace my time through the Fall months in setting up my layout. I also have to plan for time to rake leaves outside. However, for my Christmas Tree, I will hopefully start putting it up by 2nd weekend of November but my Christmas layout has to be done by then!
Hence, that being said I know there are others that start earlier than I do...August or even earlier! I know those with very big outdoor Christmas Light displays take months to setup so they start very early.
How about you...when do you start setting up Christmas Decorations or your Christmas Train Layout?
|
|
|
|
Post by thebigcrabcake on Oct 21, 2019 5:04:09 GMT
How about you...when do you start setting up Christmas Decorations or your Christmas Train Layout? Your timeframe is basically what I follow. There are some elements I work on throughout the year and occasionally I’ll get going in August. Many of my YouTube subscribers are builders of Christmas Villages. I notice an gradual increase in questions and comments beginning each August and lasting until Christmas. Daily new subscribers to my channel are currently triple the rate I see from January to July. All that tells me that Christmas Villagers with significant layouts are already building and have a similar timeframe to yours. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2019 5:13:37 GMT
Same here. I'm basically staging the entire layout in my garage. When it's complete, I'll move it inside. It's made in sections. The actual setup in our living room will be Thanksgiving weekend.
|
|
|
|
Post by thebigcrabcake on Oct 21, 2019 5:18:29 GMT
Same here. I'm basically staging the entire layout in my garage. When it's complete, I'll move it inside. It's made in sections. The actual setup in our living room will be Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving Weekend is “Opening Day” for us too. I really push to have the layout complete by the end of that weekend. Anything later and I start to feel rushed. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2019 9:44:57 GMT
I don't decorate until the very week before Christmas and it all comes down New Years Eve or sooner. Unfortunately the way things are I get over saturated by November.
As far as a train layout, it's pretty basic so there is not a lot of planning.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2019 11:13:04 GMT
We start in November and here it is a BIG DEAL. Paula is having some minor surgery in mid-December so we won’t do as much. That nears two trees instead of four and a moderate amount of other stuff.
Not sure about the Train Room. I expect that Dept 56 will wait until next year. We have a ton of stuff and it takes about 100 hours to put up/take down.
|
|
|
|
Post by josef on Oct 21, 2019 13:03:19 GMT
First week of December. We bring things out of the attic stored there the day before. After breakfast, we play Christmas Music, (on a record player, not tape nor CD). What's fun is, and we do this every year, talk and memories were certain decorations came from or were given to us. Looking back, and thanks for this Topic, its what we have done in all our 50 years of marriage.
Another tradition is Hot Ovaltine and cookies during a 4PM break.
|
|
|
|
Post by ptc on Oct 21, 2019 13:22:00 GMT
"I started laying out my track in September this year. I start early because I want everything done before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the holidays. I also don't like rushing on doing something I enjoy doing. I have a busy work schedule so I need to pace my time through the Fall months in setting up my layout. I also have to plan for time to rake leaves outside. However, for my Christmas Tree, I will hopefully start putting it up by 2nd weekend of November but my Christmas layout has to be done by then!"
My Dad and Mom were big supporters of having all Christmas decorations done by Thanksgiving Day. They had a lot of seasonal quests who always enjoyed the Christams season at our home. I have carried on the same tradition like Ken has stated above.
Since it gets cold quickly here in the north country, I will get the exterior lighting done shortly. We do a lot of it including a 10 ft. Blue Spruce. Then we start the interior decorations on November 1st. The Chritsmas train layout, ready any time of the year.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2019 14:53:56 GMT
I'm starting to get twitchy right about NOW. |
|
|
|
Post by harborbelt70 on Oct 21, 2019 16:39:59 GMT
Any time I can put up a carpet layout is Christmas for me. But I do have one every Christmas. Years ago I got my kids and their significant ones of the time novelty cars (an egg nog tank car for example). They were totally bemused.  The only serious prep I have done the last couple of years is to get (a) a miniature wreath that goes on the nose of my GE EVO with its flashing charging lights and (b) a six car set of the MTH LED-strung Daylight cars. |
|
|
|
Post by Country Joe on Oct 21, 2019 20:15:19 GMT
We put the tree up and decorate the first or second week in December. I don't do a Christmas layout since it's a very short walk from the living room to the train room. I have some wreaths to put on houses and other buildings and a Christmas tree plus I'll be looking for other details that set the Christmas mood on the layout. Everything comes down the first or second week in January. One very nice feature of living in Florida is that it's not that cold outside so taking down the wreaths and outdoor lighting isn't that big of a deal.
|
|
|
|
Post by kstrains on Oct 22, 2019 4:09:38 GMT
I do find it interesting how retailers have started putting out their Christmas Merchandise earlier over the years. I remember growing up you would not see much of anything until the week of Thanksgiving or even after Thanksgiving.
Hallmark stores have their ornaments out by July. I noticed this year Lemax had photos of their village collection already online for 2019 by March.
Kohl's had 50% off their decorations this past week. I like seeing their St. Nicholas Square Village collection each year and the new things they have. I did not see anything that really peaked my interest this year.
By Thanksgiving it seems like most stuff is already picked over so best to shop early!
|
|
|
|
Post by ptc on Oct 22, 2019 13:13:50 GMT
"By Thanksgiving it seems like most stuff is already picked over so best to shop early!"
Ken, you sure have this correct. The good stiff is mostly gone by Thanksgiving Day. You made a statement that it is so nice to have your Christmas decorations and layout done by Thanksgiving so that you can enjoy the Christmas season without all of the running around. So true. |
|
|
|
Post by Country Joe on Oct 22, 2019 15:39:06 GMT
Ken, you are so right. When I was young the Christmas season started right after Thanksgiving. It made it special since it was only a month. Those days are gone.
|
|
|
|
Post by ptc on Oct 22, 2019 20:25:39 GMT
It all starts with the retailers. They go to their trade shows and supplier marts (Atlanta has a huge one) right after Christmas in January. They place their orders then and the cycle starts. Christmas merchandise starts arriving at the retailers locations during the summer. They then get it to display as soon as the fall leaves start to turn, or sooner. Can't blame them as there is a tremendous investment in terms of what they ordered for the season.
And so it goes. I have learned to accept this as it does put you in the Christmas spirit.
I was at Home Depot this morning and their Christmas trees are up. They are in the process of moving out the gas grills and landmovers to make more room. |
|
