This weekend, two readers sent us very similar “holiday creep” photos from two different kinds of retailers. Secret Consumerist synchronicity? Maybe. Or maybe the week before Christmas is now the universal time to put Valentine’s Day stuff out.

Ben spotted this display of Valentine’s Day-themed pet toys in a Petco store on Sunday. “Yes, an entire display,” he writes. “Prominent, and fairly close to the front. Let the dust settle from the holidays first, please?!” They probably have already clearanced out most of the Christmas-themed stuff already: what else is supposed to go in the seasonal displays?

Meanwhile, over at Albertsons in the Pacific Northwest, Mary noticed these Valentine’s Day party gift pags and candy containers. If you like to plan ahead and get your party favors ready six weeks early, you’re in luck.

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