COT Conversation: Christmas Is Celebrated In June Now, Apparently

I am annoyed.

I have not been blogging for a long time about the topic of coupon pamphlet wares, but since I've started, it seems that everything is Christmas- themed. There are so many things wrong with that.

For starters, it's June. There's a whole half a year left before it's time to even start thinking about anything holiday related.

Also, the stuff being sold is junk. Right now I am staring at an ad I am going to post about later in the week, that I not so fondly refer to as the "Kissing Rats." These furry vermin on ornaments are dressed in Christmas outfits, puckering up amid Hershey's Kisses. It's weird.

There are other things wrong here, that I'm not going to go into. Tell me what you think. Should we spread the holiday cheer throughout the year? Or would there be nothing to look forward to? What do you think is wrong with this trend?

Mickey's New York Yankees Fan for All Seasons Flags

It's Sunday, the best time of the week for Crap or Treasure- ers! This week had some awesome stuff, such as Mickey's New York Yankees Fan For All Seasons Flags, from The Hamilton collection.

"Celebrate your passion for the New York Yankees with the first-ever holiday flags honoring this legendary ballclub and featuring Mickey Mouse!" These seem to be a very personalized thing. I would think only a small percentage of people like both the Yankees and Mickey Mouse, and are willing to have a flag in their front yard telling the world. This seems to be the kind of thing that clueless well meaning relatives would give to their younger male relations, only to have it thrown out later.

Don't you dare toss it, at $29.99 each. And don't lie and say you like it if one is bestowed apon you, because you're just setting yourself up to get more. There are different patterns of flags, for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, the Fourth of July, and more. Beware, before it's too late.

What would you do if you received one of these flags? Do you like the Yankees? Feel free to comment.

"Deliciously Chic" M&Ms Handbag

Okay, I'm just going to quote a large amount of the ad:

"Sophisticated yet versatile in function, our exclusive "Deliciously Chic" M&M's Bag features a delectable cream background that will complement almost any outfit in your wardrobe. A custom print of the M&M's Characters created as artist sketches adds more designer appeal. Crafted from a water- resistant canvas, the roomy bag features faux leather handles with an 8 1/2" drop and a magnetic snap closure. The lined interior has a large zippered pocket. A detachable M&M's charm is attached to a strap ring. This imported designer- style bag is a must- have wardrobe essential for anyone who loves the sweetest trends in fashion!"

I might have been convinced that this is a couture bag, what with the $99.95 price tag and all the hype in the text, if it wasn't for the fact that it has M&M's all over it! M&M's!! Since when are little pieces of chocolate candy one of the "sweetest treends in fashion?" I feel insulted that they tried to skirt the truth and expected us to believe what they had written. I might just demand free M&M's as an apology.

Personalized Bride & Groom Ornament

This may be the very first treasure on this blog. The Personalized Bride & Groom Ornament, by Lenox, is a figure of a bride and groom, with the couple's names and wedding date. It is "crafted in fine china and lavishly accented with 24 karat gold." It's "just $29.90", and "personalized at no extra cost." What are your feelings on the Personalized Bride & Groom Ornament? Do you think it is the first treasure?

The First Lady of Fashion

Today I'm sharing my personal favorite of the week, The First Lady of Fashion Elongated Ornament Collection. These Christmas ornaments (again, another Christmas tchotchke being sold in June) "showcase Mrs. Obama's wardrobe, elongated to highlight the flow and grace the First Lady Brings to everything she wears." Oh, they're elongated? I just thought Michelle Obama had 6 foot legs....

You can currently buy "Set One." Set One comes with 3 ornament doll creatures. The set is $60. I'm sorry, but $60 for creepy ornaments that will cause nightmares and wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat?

The 3 mini- Michelles are dressed in three different outfits! One has a red dress, titled "Dining in Style." The second has a champagne colored dress, titled "Dinner with Dignitaries." The third is in blue, and is "In Vogue."

To me, these dolls showcase what The Bradford Exchange is all about. People may call this stuff treasure, but I'd have to disagree...

What do you think?

Heaven Shone Its Love On This Pair Of Doves

Sorry that I haven't posted anything in a while, but my internet was down. Today I am sharing a new item from this week's paper called Heaven Shone Its Love On This Pair Of Doves, from Precious Moments. This should be good.

Apparently, the statue is based on a china pattern called Blue Willow, and the pattern was "based on the timeless story of starcrossed lovers who are turned into doves because their love is pure and true." Uh- huh.

"The legendary doves appear on her skirt and - in fully sculpted form- on her hat and hand." "Her hat is also adorned with a sparkling gem and real feathers, while her sash is a real satin ribbon." The figure is "glazed just like Blue Willow china" (what is Blue Willow?) and "handcrafted and handpainted."

I am in awe of the people who buy this. You have to be a really caring, trusting, mushy person to feel the sentiment in this object. Are you one? Then go on, good fellow, and buy a lot of these $29.99 figures to give to people and share the joy! Some people might slam the door in your face, but who cares? Perhaps lives will be touched at your kind sentiment!

Seriously, someone needs to send this to that Delilah woman on the radio and see what see thinks of this. I'm willing to bet that she'd love it.

If you'd like a Heaven Shone Its Love On This Pair Of Doves for your very own, the look for it at The Hamilton Collection. Does this statue touch you, or is it just crap?

Thomas Kinkade's Wonderland Express Miniature Snow Globe Collection

I know that people say the holiday season comes more quickly every year, but isn't June a little extreme? Today's post is on Thomas Kinkade's Wonderland Express Miniature Snow Globe Collection, which was featured in the coupon pamphlet in the Sunday paper this week. The train set features "the magic and delight of real snow globes from the Painter of Light on charming hand-crafted train cars." "Premiering with the engine", which is titled "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, each car features a real working snow globe!" "To keep your Christmas spirit on track, the engine even plays the melody of 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas!'"

Well, I wouldn't want anything to hurt my Christmas spirit, especially in June.

There are 5 editions of the cars ('Deck the Halls", "Home for the Holidays", "Winter Wonderland", and "Silent Night Caboose"), along with the "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town" Premiere Edition engine. Each train car costs $19.99. That makes it a $99.95 set of glorified snowglobes (ooh, math). However, you are only reserving the train, which is good, because this ad was freaking me out a little. But does that mean it's too early to tell you all Happy Holidays? I'm confused. Curse you, Wonderland Express Miniature Snow Globe Collection.

What do you think? Is this snow globe train crap or treasure? Would you buy it?