Lincoln retail stores are doing everything they can to overcome what some are forecasting will be the weakest holiday shopping season in years.

Some stores have had their Christmas displays up since the beginning of October; a month before the traditional Christmas retail season which normally starts when Halloween ends. One retail expert says it has to do with everything from the changing family situation to our faltering economy.

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas.

"The first graders I teach are going to be asking me how long until Christmas," said Glenda Beckman, a teacher from Palmyra.

Everywhere you go,
more and more you see,
Halloween by the Christmas tree.

"There's a part of me that thinks we keep bringing things out earlier and earlier. But, as I look at the economy and I look at what the stores might need to do to keep in business I guess I can over look it.

With Jack Frost still no-where in sight, it's partly the economic chill retailers are trying to ward off with their early displays.

"Those optional purchases are under scrutiny right now," said Nebraska Retail Federation President Jim Otto. "Retailers are hopeful there are a certain minimal number of things people will do for this holiday season."

Otto says another factor moving up Christmas is the changing dynamic of the family, with some now having three or four sides rather than the tradition two.

"Families can't get all the Christmases in on Christmas day, so usually anytime after Thanksgiving families could be celebrating Christmases."

Retailers are also ordering Christmas inventory earlier and simply putting it up when the get it in; this year especially because they don't want any left over.

"I doubt many retailers have inventory left over after December 25th because they are being very conservative with the financial and credit situations," said Otto.

Some say, however, It's just something to ignore until the time is right.

"We'll keep things Halloween for as long as we can and then move into Thanksgiving," said Beckman.