"Why does Christmas always come just when the stores…

“Why does Christmas always come just when the stores are so crowded?” is a jocular question about Christmas. “Shame that Christmas comes just when stores are so crowded” was cited in an Ed Sullivan (1901-1974) newspaper column in 1949.

24 December 1949, Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer, Ed Sullivan column, pg. 11, col. 4:
NEW YORK, Dec, 23.
MY SECRETARY, AFRICA, SPEAKS.—Dear Bosss: “Shame that Christmas comes just when stores are so crowded,” moans Sang Werris.

27 December 1954, Bristol (PA) Daily Courier, pg. 5, col. 4:
Can’t understand why they have Christmas at a time when the stores are so crowded.

22 December 1955, Los Angeles (CA) Times, “Yule SHopping List” by Jack Guyer, pt. 2, pg. 5, col. 1:
And Christmas always comes when the stores are so crowded.

2 November 1964, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “A Line o’ Type or Two,” sec. 1, pg. 24, col. 3:
PROBABLY
Suppose Christmas will come again this year
Just when the stores are so crowded,
Q dear!
L’il Amy

Google Books
No hang-ups II
By Cliff Carle
Los Angeles, CA: CCC Publications
1986
Pg. 11:
Boy, can anybody tell me why Christmas always comes when the stores are so crowded!?

Google Books
Phillips’ Book of Great Thoughts, Funny Sayings:
A Stupendous Collection of Quotes, Quips, Epigrams, Witticisms, and Humorous Comments for Personal Enjoyment and Ready Reference
By Bob Phillips
Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House
1993
Pg. 68:
Why does Christinas always come just when the stores are so crowded?

Google Books
Henny Youngman’s Bar Jokes, Bar Bets and Bar Tricks
By Henny Youngman
New York, NY: Wings Books
1994
Pg. 127:
Why does Christmas always come when the stores are so crowded.

Twitter
🌸 Ellie 📎
‏@EllieM72
Why does Christmas always come just when the stores are so crowded?
3:45 PM - 16 Oct 2010

Twitter
Brandon Lyon
‏@BrandonLyon19
“Isn’t it a shame Christmas comes at the time of year when the stores are so crowded?” #Christmas #holiday
9:05 PM - 24 Dec 2014