BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Christmas may be nearly two months away, but by the look of things you may think the holiday moved up a month.

Christmas shopping as early as October is the trend this year, according to the National Retail Federation. And about 40 percent of shoppers have already started their holiday shopping.

The Patio Shoppe in southwest Bakersfield started putting up their holiday items in September.

It's a cash flow item that keeps us paying the bills in the winter months, basically, hopefully," said owner Adrienne Wiggins.

Other retailers are also trying to cash in on Christmas early. Toys R Us just sent out an 80 page-ad one day after Halloween.

Shopper Dolores Rosalas said she is used to seeing holiday items on store shelves early so it doesn't stress her out.

"I always wait last minute, that's when I'm shopping around," she said.

But shopper Lynn Funderbunk feels differently.

"I don't like seeing it, it just reminds me of what's coming up, no," she said.

Psychologist Dean Haddock said Christmas come early can be stressful for many people.

"A lot of people are out of work, they don't have the money they had but the retailers on the other hand are realizing if they don't get out there sooner they're not going to get the business that they could have, and so they are kind of playing off of each other," Haddock said.

Haddock also adds that it is important to know you always have a choice to make the holiday what you want it to be.

"Remember it is a holiday and remember why we do celebrate the season. You know Christmas is Christ's birthday and that's why we celebrate it, so if we can put Christ back into Christmas I think everybody will be a lot happier about that," he said.