Christmas in October?

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Halloween is just a week away, and already Christmas is in the air at many stores.

Alongside the pumpkins, costumes, candy and spooky decorations, you can find: the holiday lights, Christmas tree stands, and Christmas cards.

Target is one of the major retailers helping shoppers get a headstart on the holiday season.

Raymond Murphy Jr. of Holyoke sees this as an advantage.

"I think it draws shoppers for one thing. They know that, if they want to shop early and beat the crowds, that they can come and it will be available to them", said Murphy.

But many shoppers say it's still too early to roll-out with the Christmas decorations.

"I don't like it at all. It's just too soon--it's October! It's not even Halloween yet and they do this every year....I think they're even coming out sooner with Christmas decorations", said Lucia Wright of Easthampton.

For Patricia Ellard of Westfield, it takes away from the true meaning of the holiday.

"It makes Christmas more commercialized. You don't get to really enjoy each individual holiday....I'm not crazy about it", Ellard said.

But whether or not you're ready to "deck the halls", the retail world is. Many companies are offering more discounts and deals this holiday season because sales are expected to go up.