If you wander down Onset Avenue this week, you may run into Santa Claus.

But don't be alarmed. We haven't been whisked past summer and into December. The Onset Bay Trading Company is just celebrating Christmas in July.

Store-owner Deborah Alfonso is getting out her Christmas merchandise and encouraging vacationers and residents alike to start thinking about the holiday.

"We're halfway there," Alfonso said. She usually keeps the store open year-round, but said business slows so much in the winter that she will be closing in September this year and reopening in the warmer months.

But Alfonso did not want her customers to miss out on the holiday-themed goodies. "People like to have stuff with 'Onset' on it for Christmas," she said. She always keeps a Christmas tree assembled for those who want to purchase ornaments, but is bringing out everything from jewelry to decorations and even artificial snow (just add water!) this week.

Which reminded her: "I have to make some fresh snow."