I saw Halloween candy in stores the first week of August this year, and Halloween cards were on sale by August 18, so I know Christmas can't be far behind. In fact, if you extrapolate from August 6 = October 31, then Christmas should be happening by, like, September 30. That is pretty early, but I'm sure stores would have their holiday merch out right now, if they could.
THIS JUST IN: First Christmas catalog of the season arrived August 26.
Congratulations, Art Institute of Chicago Museum Store!
Obviously it's not too early to begin thinking about this year's Christmas Carol Contest. Last year DJ Kelly and I had a competition to see who would be the first to hear Christmas music being played in a store. I won! November 10, 12:40 PM. Although Blog Reader EH claimed to have heard Christmas music in a Home Depot (in New Jersey, I think) on Halloween night. So this year I thought the contest should be open to all 
WFMU Listeners and Blog Readers. Post the details of your first encounter with Christmas music being played in a store in 2009 right here on the comments section, and the winner will win ... something. I'm not sure what yet, but something. Maybe some Halloween candy. Good luck!
criticizing the availability of candy corn in august???
cheapening the pitch for cheap christmas chotchkes in september???
what next??? dead politicians???
damn you 'fmu!!!
DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!
Posted by: bishop68 | September 08, 2009 at 05:56 AM
That's it. I'm never reading this blog, or listening to this radio station AGAIN. You missed the mark on this one, Bronwyn.
Posted by: Wm. | September 08, 2009 at 08:58 AM
i can't provide evidence but i can honestly tell you i heard christmas music in a walgreens on november 1st last year, and they had already condensed the halloween left overs to a corner of an aisle and started putting out the xmas basics (santa hats and baubles) beside them like they would pass for halloween costumes and decor and maybe we wouldn't notice?
this year, i heard christmas music (well, one song, i don't remember which) in a grocery store in mid-day. i think it was a joke or a glitch though because it was just the one. then i almost started to doubt it had actually heard it. the programming had done its job.
Posted by: doomsday fartshadow | September 08, 2009 at 09:27 AM
If only Mary Joe were still alive to enjoy all the premature xmas cheer...
Posted by: fanboy snarkiness is not really redemptive | September 08, 2009 at 10:04 AM
I work in a year round holiday store, which mean all holidays are represented in their own sections of the store, and christmas music plays about mid september.
wazupnowbaby!
Posted by: YETI | September 08, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Watching Bronwyn C. go from being The People's DJ to being WFMU's all-time most despised program host is like watching pro wrestling, when one of the heroes suddenly turns into a villain. I hope she at least gets another couple of seasons out of the new story line.
Posted by: Brooklyn Bridget | September 08, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Jeez, I still like Bronwyn... I heard some Christmas music just yesterday on tv so that's the first for me this year.
Posted by: John L | September 08, 2009 at 12:39 PM
It's the internet and there is no such thing as last week so don't pick on Bronwyn for a blog post that clearly existed beyond the range of human perception. If anyone's interested I achieved my goal of not going to the beach or music festival or amusement park or any of those things people think are fun to do that are always annoying disasters. So I am tan free on the tuesday after labor day weekend. I win
Posted by: bartleby | September 08, 2009 at 12:42 PM
We're putting out Christmas lights on the back wall behind Halloween AS I WRITE THIS.
Posted by: Hellbound Alleee | September 08, 2009 at 02:41 PM
I love you, Firecracker -- you blow up my amygdala!
Posted by: Listener #109577 | September 08, 2009 at 05:17 PM
first WFMU dj carping about Christmas... september 7. maybe a record. i love ya Bronwyn, but lighten up. try enjoying it this year.
Posted by: Bob_NJ | September 08, 2009 at 05:41 PM
I love you, Firecracker -- you blow up my amygdala!
Posted by: Yalitim | September 08, 2009 at 05:59 PM
I thought you was some kind of witch.
Posted by: Listener Ralphine | September 09, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Let us pray that Teddy never enjoyed even one of those last 40 Christmas seasons. He was a discredit to all white people. Thank you for everything Bronwyn! Thanx for reading my comment too!!!! :-)
Posted by: Glenn Beck | September 09, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Here in Salt Lake City (my home for the past ten years) the ice cream truck comes through our neighborhood infrequently, so we notice it when it does. About three weeks ago, my wife and I were listening to the truck's fake-calliope tunes and wondering aloud, "How long until the ice cream guy/gal goes crazy from hearing the same tunes over and over again?" And then we realized that the newest tune was "Good King Wenceslas", followed by "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and more Christmas tunes. The kids next door were taking their time getting ice cream, so we got to hear much of the playlist, all holiday related.
Christmas music from an ice cream truck in early September? Madness??
Posted by: Listener John from NJ in SLC | September 19, 2009 at 10:01 PM