Ignore the snarky article and just look at the data CNBC is showing here (and the nice time series graph):
Search data from Polyvore shows Christmas shoppers started earlier this year:
Beginning of Christmas-season retail searches:
2012: Oct. 27
2013: Oct. 23
2014: Sept. 28
If shoppers are spending the entire fall season getting ready for Christmas, it stands to reason that some of us are essentially ready by the time Thanksgiving rolls around. This would explain a lower level of activity at retail in recent days. Despite mixed predictions, the reduced buying carried over into Cyber Monday and today.
