Suppliers Set Table for Holiday.

By Cecile B. Corral

New York - If it's October, it must be Christmas retailing time.

Now that the witches, ghosts and goblins have bedecked front lawns across the country at least since late September, retailers aren't wasting another minute to remind shoppers the holidays are only just beginning. Every year, it seems, they start their holiday selling season earlier and earlier at the store - eager to take advantage before the merchandise turns into a clearance situation.

Table linens and kitchen textiles are a good place to start getting customers in the mood to sing Jingle Bells - but don't expect any avant-garde adaptations of Santa or the manger this season: tried-and-true traditional is the tone this holiday. …