Online searchers began using holiday-related terms significantly more during the week ended November 5 than the prior week, according to Hitwise data, reported by eMarketer. Queries for "christmas" were up 41 percent; "christmas gift ideas," up 185 percent; "christmas gifts," up 92 percent; and "christmas decorations," up 75 percent.

Based on a recent poll by GMI, U.S. consumers believe the holiday shopping season starts early - nearly 50 percent of those polled said the season started two months or more before Christmas.