The day after Halloween, drinks came in red Christmas cups at Starbucks. Bath and Body Works had tinsel and stocking stuffers all ready to go. Many stores simply exploded with Christmas overnight.

Considering that the retail industry’s sales boom before Christmas, it’s not surprising that these stores are trying to ride the Christmas wave for as long as possible. In fact, I’ve seen the effects of this marketing technique. Starbucks Chritmas blend coffee beans have been wildly popular. Gift cards are being bought in stacks. The holiday drinks are ordered endlessly.

However, this marketing practice seems to push one important ethical issue to the side: Remembrance Day. While many embrace the jump from Halloween to Christmas, others are horrified that Remembrance Day isn’t honoured solemnly before the Christmas lights are up.  Even though it’s effective marketing, should companies withhold the carols until after Remembrance Day, simply out of respect?

Many voices on the Internet have declared corporations simply disrespectful for not having cheery music and Christmas trees up on the 11th, and I agree. I think that it is ethically wrong for companies to be capitalizing on Christmas products during the period we should be honouring our veterans and soldiers for their sacrifices. However, things will likely not change, simply because the Christmas-themed marketing is too profitable to put off for two weeks.