Christmas Now Year Round Business

It seems like Christmas shopping season arrives earlier and earlier every year.

But for vendors at this year's "Christmas in the South", that's like jingle bells to their ears, and money in their pockets. Christmas has become a year round business.

I've got news for you.

If you're waiting till after Thanksgiving to start your Christmas shopping, you may be too late. Judging by the hectic pace at the Trade Center, there may not be anything left.

Put away the pumpkin and make way for Santa. It's not even Halloween yet, you say, no matter. The Christmas rush is already on, just ask the buyers and sellers at the Trade Center this weekend.

"I start at the end of October every year. I have to, to get everything I need,"said Orlanda Murphy, shopper.

And that's what these vendors, most of whom are from out of state, are counting on. Beverly Watson brings her snowmen to eighteen different show a year.

"My mother and I, this is our business, if you're a member of our family, you work on snowmen," said Beverly Watson, vendor.

Six thousand a year to be exact. Amy Potts' specialty is handcrafted ornaments.

"I make ornaments starting January second, I do it everyday like anybody else who has a full time job," said Amy Potts, vendor.

But make no mistake, they do it because this is big business too.

It used to be people do their Christmas shopping after thanksgiving, but her it is two days before halloween and this place is packed. But vendors say, for them this is a year round business."

Watson and Potts say they wouldn't have it any other way.

"They could start in June with us, we do our first show in June and we make snow men all the time," said Watson.

"I call it my accidental business, it sort of drags me along after it," said Potts.

And don't think for a second, the vendors are the only winners in all this shopping madness.

With all the vendors and shoppers coming in from out of town, "Christmas in the South" makes quite an economic impact on Columbus as well.