Christmas is still nearly two months away, but apparently nobody has told the stores that.

Local businesses already have holiday CDs on the racks, DVDs on sale and the seasonal candy stocked next to the pop and the chips.

Love or hate the commercialism, it’s here and here to stay until at least the new year.

It’s unclear how shopping sales will add up for Christmas, 2009.

According to a Business Week report, retailers are coming off probably the worst holiday season in memory.

Will this year be different? It’s too early to tell.

The recession may be over, but plenty of people are still out of jobs, which means less cash for customers to spend on gifts.

Some stores are trying to do what they can to attract shoppers on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

According to www.blackfriday.info, Wal-Mart will offer an XBox 360 arcade console and a $100 Wal-Mart gift card for $199.

Why a Black Friday Web site even exists is probably a subject for another column.

What is more important is that when local shoppers finalize their shopping lists, they keep in mind local businesses whenever possible.

Within Mower County, residents can find big screen TVs, the latest in video games, DVDs, CDs and clothes and gift certificates to restaurants.

In July of 2008, the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce launched a bold campaign designed to keep more spending local.

The “Buy Mower/Grow Mower” efforts asks residents and business owners to shift 10 percent of their annual out-of-county spending back into the county to help improve the local economy and increase our quality of life.

The effort is still going strong, and as the holidays get closer, I hope more residents do their shopping right here in Austin and the surrounding areas.