The Christmas holiday is celebrated throughout the month of December. Right? That’s only half right. Every year Christmas gets celebrated earlier and earlier with the earliest being the day after Halloween 2016. I was visiting the mall that day when I walked in, automatically saw the colorful lights on the ceiling, and my ears were assaulted by the sound of, “HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS!” Hold on a second! Were we not just carving jack-o-lanterns, and what about turkey day? Well I say, “Go on home Santa, you have to wait your turn.” Before you think, “What a Grinch…” I have a few concrete reasons for this attitude.
1. The whole month of November is skipped!
Up until November 1 pumpkin spice, hoodies, and the upcoming Fall weather were all the rage. Then, suddenly, when the month that personifies these things arrives, it is all forgotten. I live for those days where it is still sunny and beautiful outside with a slight chill. The leaves are falling, hot chocolate is brewing, and everyone is feeling extra thankful for their friends and family. Instead of using November as pre-December, let’s celebrate everything the month has to offer. 2. HELLO, Thanksgiving!
You remember this holiday don’t you? Thanksgiving doesn’t even get a full day anymore with stores starting Black Friday early. I wonder why this holiday is so underrated because there is so much to love about it. I love the turkey, the mashed potatoes, the pie…OK, that’s not all. We grew up learning that Thanksgiving was a day to celebrate community, family and friends. On Thanksgiving, we take a pause from our hectic lives and count our blessings. When I leave my family that night, I don’t just have a full belly, but a full heart.
3. I love Christmas.
Yes, I said it. I love Christmas with all of my heart. The Scrooge I am not, even if you were starting to believe that. So, why is loving something a reason to push it away? I feel that the Christmas season is something magical and that the earlier, and longer it plays out the less special it is. Two months of celebration compared to a few weeks of condensed jolly festivities, well I’ve never had a more apt time to use the phrase, “too much of a good thing.” Besides, holiday music isn’t diverse enough for that period of time.
What about you? Was today the day you were going to pull out the candy canes? Or, do you prefer to wait until at least the turkey thaws?