Selling ‘Scary’ Before ‘Merry’

Step into any big-box store right now and you'll find an impressive array of battery-powered jack-o-lanterns, "Frozen" costumes and candy sugary enough to warrant the lifetime silent treatment from your childhood dentist.

In a few weeks, bristling electronic turkeys will replace the bristly witches’ brooms, and shortly thereafter, the leaves will fall and faux snow will coat holiday displays. Snowmen will pop up where skeletons hung before, staying there until the year comes to a close with a big ball drop.