We were killing some time before a movie a few days ago, checking out the fine selection of toys at America's most mocked retailer, when the electronic chime of Christmas carols drifted from a few aisles over and drew us in with Pied Piper skill.

Sure, we're still sweating under the air conditioning from the 96-degree weather outside, perfectly happy in our shorts and summer attire, but at the end of the silk flowers section here in Puerto Rico, it's holly jolly and decked with mistletoe.

They also just put out their Halloween costumes, which my research shows is needlessly early, but it was no match for the pre-earliness of the decorations for the merriest of all holidays.

As I understand it, we still have to go through Labor Day, back to school, Aunt Tricia's birthday (big holiday in our family), Halloween and Thanksgiving before reaching Christmas, but try telling that to K-Mart.

They've got 7-foot tall Ferris Wheels full of snowmen and assorted holiday favorites, and a larger than life display of a snowperson's family with lights that dance to the festive tunes of the season. If you aren't looking to drop a few hundred on a single box, they also have lights, decorations, angels and anything else you could want short of Christmas itself, which won't technically be in stock for another 18-weeks.

I know I hate it when people wait 'til the last minute to prepare for something, so my hat is off to K-Mart for kicking off the season so ridiculously early that the real reason my hat is off is because of the heat.

Above - As strange as it seems, these obscene, oversized Christmas displays, discovered oddly in the dead of summer, were just the sort of distraction we must have been looking for.

Above - Notice my shorts, lightweight t-shirt and general lack of being cold. Even if I was in Puerto Rico at Christmas time, I'd still be in summer attire, so I guess it isn't so strange after all... or is it?!? You decide!

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