Holiday shoppers get an early start

(WTNH) -- Thanksgiving isn't even here yet but that's not stopping folks from hitting the stores to pick up things off their Christmas lists.

Decorations took form on Bobby Rak's New Haven lawn 2 days after Halloween.

"I see the kids, the smiles on their faces, so it makes me happy too," Bobby Rak of New Haven said.

Rak says the reason for his early winter wonderland is because he's not really a Thanksgiving guy and prefers Christmas, but retailers have another reason.

According to the National Retail Federation about 40 percent started before Halloween.

"We always shop a week before Thanksgiving and start from there, all the way 'til Christmas," Jennifer Perez of Hamden said.

News 8 asked Fred Moser when he starts shopping. "A week before, night before," Moser said laughing.

You might be digesting your turkey while you shop, as the retail rush of Black Friday is pushed up to Thursday night at Target and Toys"R"Us. Best Buy opens up at midnight, but that's not for the early birds we found today.

"It's just a crowd and it's a lot of hassle, a lot of people pushing each other around," Simon Cotlyar, a Target shopper, said.

"I like this better, I'm free to look around, you can't see everyone's pushing into you," Linda Loeche of Hamden said.

Target employees say the hot items are video games like We-U and Call of Duty. And yes, Furby is making a comeback, but not everyone is eager for presents.

"I don't really have any specific requests for Santa Claus. I got two kids so as long as they're happy and healthy, that's the best gift I could ask for," Cotlyar said.

Cotlyar had the true spirit of the season as he walked the toy aisle.