Thanksgiving has traditionally served as the kickoff to the holiday season. That is, after all, why Macy's famous Thanksgiving Day Parade always builds up to and ends with Santa Claus' float. Over the years though, the Christmas season has crept earlier into November, even showing its presence as early as October. Nowadays, tree-lighting ceremonies occur well before Thanksgiving, and it's not even that unusual to see Christmas decorations standing side by side with Halloween costumes at your local department store.