The Twelve Months of Christmas
When you live retail...your year revolves around Christmas. There is a song the Twelve Days of Christmas, but I have my own song the Twelve Months of Christmas.
On the first month of Christmas...JANUARY
The new year has arrived & you may still have a tree or two around the store with a 50% or maybe a 75% OFF sign. The first trade show of the year is in Atlanta GA. & guess what you buy...CHRISTMAS for the following year!!!
On the second month of Christmas...FEBRUARY
You've been a little lazy or a snowstorm has caused you to close your store, but get your boots on...it's time to go to the NY TOY FAIR & guess what you're buying...CHRISTMAS !!!
On the third Month of Christmas...MARCH
You start receiving panicked phone calls from some of your vendors "YOU NEED TO GET YOUR CHRISTMAS ORDERS IN, IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THE DATING PROGRAM".
On the fourth Month of Christmas...APRIL
More panicked phone calls..."CHRISTMAS ORDERS NEED TO BE IN STAT !!!" (but, I think I still have one tree left up from last year, oh well...maybe I'll just leave it up & no one will notice).
On the fifth Month of Christmas...MAY
Flowers are starting to bloom CHRISTMAS orders are arriving at the store. Where will I put all the boxes ??? What was I thinking ???
On the sixth Month of Christmas...JUNE
Time to start planning our CHRISTMAS in July sale.
On the Seventh Month of Christmas...JULY
You know "CHRISTMAS in July" Sale !!!
On the Eighth Month of Christmas...AUGUST
It's back to the trade shows the NY GIFT FAIR & last minute decisions on what to bring in for you know...CHRISTMAS.
On the Ninth Month of Christmas...SEPTEMBER
Time to start planning the Christmas displays, go over orders & the bulk of CHRISTMAS orders are arriving daily. What was I thinking ??? & how am I going to pay for this stuff ???
On the Tenth Month of Christmas...OCTOBER
Let the decorating begin. Customers start asking have the CHRISTMAS Annalees arrived yet, when will the Byers' Carolers be in, etc. ???
On the Eleventh Month of Christmas...NOVEMBER
The Annual "Holiday Open House". The CHRISTMAS season has arrived & every one's complaining that we retailers are pushing the season. THANKSGIVING HASN"T EVEN ARRIVED YET !!! they scream. I know, I know, but we are grossly understaffed (a staff of two me & my sister, Lorraine). & I really need to start early so that I will be able to keep my eyes open when CHRISTMAS finally does arrive.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...DECEMBER
The rush of the season, when we hope that we made the right decisions. That everything will sell & customers will like our assortments. All the while, we are hoping that we can pay all our bills & survive to see another CHRISTMAS.
But, when I sit & really reflect on CHRISTMAS, it is & it will always be about CHRIST & the true meaning of CHRISTMAS & how I should live it each day of the of the year. I will try to remember like the 12 days of CHRISTMAS song that...
1 True Love refers to God.
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments.
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation.
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes.
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments.
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles.
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.
Living, Breathing, & Decorating Christmas 12 Months a Year,
Kathleen Sforza
Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237
Websites:
Kathleen Rose's Collection (an eBay Store)
Lorraine's Favorite Finds (an eBay Store)
Blogs:
Lorraine's Favorite Finds
Accessories By Ashley Rae
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