It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Now, I know you might be thinking to yourself: “But Joseph, it’s only mid-October.  We JUST got through taking down all those Columbus Day decorations, it’s not even Halloween and Thanksgiving is more than a month away!!,” but in the retail business we are always one step ahead of you.  And by one step I mean three months.  The Barn actually started receiving Christmas stock in September but will be getting in the lion’s share of it this week and the following.  I’m talking shipments of 900-1,200 boxes… and guess who get’s to un-pack all of those!!!!  No, seriously, who?, because I’m pretty sure I’m going to be sick whatever days those are.

 

Garland around a lamp post is never a good sign in retail

This is only about half of them :(

 

I have already sold about 15 ornaments this month and they aren’t even on the floor yet… and it was for a bridal registry.  Of someone who is getting married in February.

 

Armies of candle Santa Clauses and Nutcrackers have already been haunting my dreams

  Christmas at the Barn wouldn’t be complete without our Reindeer collection.  Or as Karen Walker would say: "I've been ooooon Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,;  I've been on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner. But not Blitzen…  he likes to watch."

I do have an apology to Jan to make, and though it’s not necessarily sanctioned by corporate, I’m sure they share in my sorrow.  Pottery Barn has been and will again be selling Glitter Letter Ornaments (a circular ornament with letters at the center) and there was a directive from the top with the following statement:

Glitter Letter Ornaments should be organized alphabetically in red shelf organizers. … NOTE: Due to small projected sales, the following letters will not be produced: I, O, Q, U, X, Y, Z.

So… sorry Mrs. Ingersoll!