Critics: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Too Soon

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It was in the mid-70s on Friday and the month of November is less than a week old, but dreams of a white Christmas seem to be taking shape already.

As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, the tree has arrived at Rockefeller Center, and the Whiter Village at Bryant Park opened on Oct. 30 – a day before Halloween. Twinkling lights have started to pop up all over, and while storefronts along Fifth Avenue have been getting decked out for the holidays, many have had holiday merchandise in stock for weeks.

Some agree that 'tis already the season to be jolly – why delay what is known in song as the most wonderful time of the year?

"It's a perfect time. It's never too early for Christmas decorations," said Arondae Kelly of Harlem. "Everybody gets in the spirit early. Everybody feels the joy and love."

"I'd have them up all year round," another New Yorker said.

But others would like to enjoy the season of leaves crunching under shoes, and stick to pumpkin spice products before the peppermint and eggnog flavors come in. With temperatures befitting of late summer, visions of sleigh bells jing-a-linging in the snow seem a bit incongruous to some New Yorkers.

"I think it's too soon. It's too soon. It's not even cold yet -- it's 74 degrees and the Christmas tree is out," said McTerry Obioha of the Bronx. "You want to be there when it's cold, with your family or loved ones all snuggled up."

"Fall is my favorite, so I think it should last a little longer," said Leah Dziuba of Clifton, New Jersey.

Many feel that with the holiday season starting earlier and earlier, Thanksgiving, gets lost in the shuffle.

"I think we should definitely be able to celebrate Thanksgiving, with an idea of Thanksgiving as a holiday," said Spencer Ruiz of Crown Heights.

"They bring in the holidays too quick, you know?" said Miriam Melendez of Jersey City. "They're rushing it, and it wasn't back in the days like that. It's too much."

Stores though seem to be taking advantage of the early holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, 40 percent of holiday shoppers started before Halloween, 42 percent will start in November, and the rest – 18 percent – will wait until December.

"I start my Christmas shopping next month… That's the way it's supposed to be," Melendez said.

As of Friday, Nov. 6, there were six weeks, or 49 days, until Christmas.