'Twas three months before Christmas on the second floor of Macy's in Neshaminy Mall, and there were enough ornaments, artificial holly and trees to fill an entire hall.

Marie Gossler of Langhorne went shopping for school supplies for her three sons. She wandered into a winter wonderland. A porcelain ornament of the baby Jesus gave her pause.

“It does seem a little early for Christmas decorations, but, then, I guess people will buy them,” Gossler said.

Yes, they will, retailers say.

With holiday displays up in select stores across the nation, Macy's is one of the first to spring into the season. But it will only have a slight edge over competitors, according to the National Retail Federation, a trade group.

Retailers will bring in the holidays earlier than ever because more people are buying presents months ahead of time, the retail federation said.

A study by the group found that only 16 percent of Americans waited until December to start gift buying last year. And shoppers are more likely to buy the most expensive items in September, October and November, the organization said.

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