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"Happy Halloween," the card said. "Now it's time for Christmas."
Signs of the upcoming holiday season are creeping into everyday life, with more to come now that Halloween has passed. Sears hawked Black Friday "doorbusters" Friday and Saturday, specials normally reserved for the day after Thanksgiving.
Springettsbury Township's Christmas Tree Shops drew a steady stream of shoppers Sunday, including Wentzel, of Lancaster County, who picked up a glass jar with a little snowman on top -- perfect for holding candy, Wentzel said.
The shoppers gravitated to aisles and shelves filled with wreaths, ornaments and red-and-green plates, napkins and cups.
The store is ready for the crowds, store planning manager Mike Orcutt said. Its extended hours took effect Sunday, continuing through the holiday season. The store, which sells seasonal items throughout the year, is offering heavy discounts on its Halloween merchandise and is shifting its focus from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
"Thanksgiving's almost over," Orcutt said. "It's cycled through already." Later, he added: "It's all about condensing down and bringing out Christmas. We're in it, full-blown."
Shoppers seemed drawn to the store's Christmas merchandise, even if they didn't go to the store with anything particular in mind.
The store's wreath display attracted Pat Dietz, a shopper from York who said she doesn't usually start Christmas shopping this early.
"This could put you a little bit in the mood, though," Dietz said, glancing around at the shelves filled with Christmas goods.
The promise of Thanksgiving-themed plates and napkins drew Miriam Altland, of Newberry Township, to the store Sunday, but a shelf of Santa Claus and snowman plates near the front of the store caught her eye, too.
Christmas shopping can be a year-round activity, Altland said.
"Whenever I see anything I think might be a nice gift, I pick it up," Altland said. "So if you need something in a hurry, you have it."
khoran@ydr.com; 771-2029
