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Shoppers take advantage of Columbus Day to get an early start on Christmas

Walk into big retailers like Target and Hobby Lobby, and you're smacked right in the face with Christmas.

Jim Murdoch

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Oct 12, 2026, 6:29 PM

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It certainly doesn't feel like Christmas outside, but plenty of people took advantage of the Columbus Day holiday to get a jump start on their holiday shopping.

Walk into big retailers like Target and Hobby Lobby, and you're smacked right in the face with Christmas.

“Forget the pumpkins, forget the apple picking, I go straight to the reindeer and manger," said Cal Nwachuku of Morganville, after loading up a shopping cart full of Christmas gifts at Hobby Lobby in Marlboro. "They really should not have put that 50% sticker on it because it's definitely enticing."

It was around 70 degrees on Monday, yet Erin Taylor, of Toms River, was out Christmas shopping.

“I'm very much buying ornaments today," said Taylor.

But not so fast, says Marissa Pabon

"Slow your roll!" exclaimed Pabon. "Once Nov. 1 hits, we'll be doing Christmas. No judgment if you want to shop for Christmas, but it's not even Halloween yet. We're just trying to embrace the lovely fall weather."

The owners of Maple Leaf Farms say nothing's ever rushed there. Halloween goes until Oct. 31 and winter starts Nov. 1.

"Need to get through Halloween first. Let the people enjoy it and we start setting up at that point," said Carmine Casola, of Maple Leaf Farms.

Even some of those early Christmas shoppers still appreciate the autumn months.

"My house is drenched in fall right now. But this is strictly for the sales. Strictly for the sales," said Susan McNamara, of Colts Neck.

If you missed the big Christmas sales on Columbus Day, have no fear - you still have 74 shopping days left until the big man shows up from the North Pole.

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