Should Christmas displays be set up before Nov. 11? Take our poll
Thunder Bay shoppers are divided over whether it's too early for stores to put up Christmas displays.
Vanderwees Home and Garden held its Christmas open house this weekend, but store owner John Vanderwees said that doesn't mean he disrespects Remembrance Day.
"We support the military family centre with Christmas trees over the years, with monetary donations, so I think we're there and I hope that the community feels that we fully respect Remembrance Day."
Customer Donna Blomquist said the early Christmas display is fine with her.
“I think before Remembrance Day is OK,” she said.
“It's only a month away, so people want to get started and get things under control.”
Marion Vaillant, another customer, said she's not big on early November Noel.
“I'm seeing how many people are wearing their poppies today,” she said.
Remembrance Day 'shouldn't be skipped over'
Vanderwees said he has to start decorating for Christmas early, because it takes weeks to set up the elaborate exhibit.
"We have to. We'll never get the job finished. What you see today is six week's work."
Shopper Debbie Komar said she understands why stores don't wait for December to deck the halls, but can see where the critics are coming from.
“Remembrance Day shouldn't be something that's skipped over, especially in light of what's happened recently,” she said.
George Clifford said he thinks it’s OK for stores to decorate early,because "it's their living. They've got to be ready."
“But I don't think people should at home," he said. "My wife wanted me to take the decorations down last week and I said, ‘nope it's too early. Has to be after Nov. 11.’"
He said people should hold off “just out of respect."