KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - Warm Weather Puts a Damper on Holiday Shopping

Warm Weather Puts a Damper on Holiday Shopping

By Kara Sewell (MCPHERSON, Kan.)

In downtown McPherson, the not so subtle signs of the holidays have arrived. "We did have some customers complaining that we did have our Christmas stuff out a little bit early," says Michelle Unruh.

At The Cake Lady, red and green went up before the Jack-O-Lanterns came down. "They're trying to stretch that holiday season longer in order to hopefully entice buyers," says Judy Doering.

• Map of McPherson

Judy is selling jewelry next door at the McPherson Opera House. Vendors lined up inside as a way for people to shop many stores at once.

On Sunday that proved difficult. Seventy-degree weather made McPherson's annual holiday open house feel a little less festive. "It's kind of funny to have the air conditioning on while you're looking at Christmas ornaments," says Allycen Stafford.

Stafford is buying early, she says she's using discounts to get her in the holiday spirit instead. Slow sales had people packing up early.

As Christmas gets closer, vendors expect business to pick up. For now, the only thing they want to drop is the temperature.