I've been working for a Hallmark store for a few years now, and before I worked there, I swore I would never understand why they stocked their Christmas Ornaments so gosh darn early. Well, three years into this job, I've realized how much I hate that kind of customer. The upcoming weeks are the last few weeks before our ornament premiere weekend, where we unveil to the public all of the magic and wonders that comes along with the holiday season.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as gung-ho about "Christmas in July." Here are a few things that I have encountered that have just really started to make my skin crawl.
1. "How dare you put up your Christmas ornaments in July!"
I've seriously heard this sentence more times than I can count. On the less irritating end of the spectrum is the "look" (Are you seriously putting a Christmas tree in the store?) and a few comments here and there. Some of the more colorful adjectives I have heard customers use are: "Disgusting; Gut-wrenching, Stomach-churning; and sickening." And yes, a real person said these things to me and my co-workers in the store. About Christmas.
2. "Can I buy this ornament?"
No. You cannot. But you can fill out a wishlist just like everyone else. And no, that doesn't guarantee you will get the ornament you want since people have been sending these in since January. I'm sorry I ruined your Christmas five months before you'll even think about buying presents because you can't buy your singing Frozen Anna and Elsa ornament before it goes on sale.
3. "Are you closing?"
Do we have any "Closing" signs up? Anywhere? No. Just because we are in the middle of putting up a five-foot wall for ornaments and things that are coming in the future doesn't mean that we are closed. There are boxes out because we are taking ornaments and display pieces out of them, not putting things in to them.
4. "Are you going to help me at the register?"
If you had read the "Please Ring Bell" sign that I put clear in the middle of the checkout counter, you could have just rang the bell to ask for my assistance instead of waiting for however long you did at the register while I put the ornament wall up. It takes a long time and a lot of concentration for us to follow the precise design that Hallmark corporate has sent to us. That's why I put the bell out at the counter, so if you need assistance while I am busy setting it up, you can politely let me know to help you check out while I'm working on something else, since it does take me several days to put the wall up with my co-workers.
5. "OH MY GOD IT'S CHRISTMAS IN FREAKIN' JULY!"
Alright, don't have a heart attack. I know you're excited about getting your ornaments and you're really excited about seeing what we're selling this year, but seriously chill out. Yes, I know you wish that it was earlier and you've been filling out your DreamBook Wishlist for the past five months because you're that excited. And I mean, I guess you have the right to be. A little holiday cheer in the middle of a hot summer never really hurt anyone. And the Anna and Elsa ornament that sings "Do you Wanna Build a Snowman?" is actually pretty cute.
Just- don't have a heart attack, whether you like it or not. Christmas is coming, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. Just remember that if you go into a store and they have Holiday things on display, it's not the worker's fault. Just smile and accept it because, hey, that's what each of us at Hallmark does every day.
