Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Christmas. From the decorations, to the cheerful feel-good music and the family gatherings, I truly love everything about it. But to me, Christmas is so much more than a season, it’s a feeling. A feeling of immense love and joy, and it symbolizes the magic and miracle of our existence.
But every year I get little bummed out when people rant all over social media about all the stores “promoting” the season “too” early. Don’t get me wrong, I get that when it’s early October and we haven’t even celebrated Halloween, and Christmas trees and decor are filling the aisles that it’s bit of a holiday mash-up, but I wonder why that’s such a bad thing? After all, it is the holidays, isn’t it? Holidays, which has an “s” on the end, which makes it plural, meaning more than one holiday. So I wonder why people get their panties in such a bunch when they see pumpkins and Santa Claus mingling together at their local Target? Santa doesn’t discriminate! So why should anyone else?!
Christmas is wonderful! So what’s so bad about spreading the cheer a little “early” with the start of the entire holiday season? Better yet, what’s so horrible about letting those who love the holidays do their thing and enjoy every second of the season, whether it’s mashed up or not? I always say different strokes for different folks. Because what works for some doesn’t work for everyone. That goes with absolutely everything. So I totally respect that some people don’t want to start celebrating Christmas before Thanksgiving. But that doesn’t mean they should fault those that do. To each their own people – you do what works for you, and I’ll do what works for me! And that my friends, means putting my glorious decorations up before turkey day. It also means I’ll rock out to Christmas music before Halloween… oh you better believe I do! And it also means I start watching Christmas movies in early November, because I am a total sucker for a good holiday flick. I mean come on, who doesn’t love Christmas Vacation or a classic like Rudolph?!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Halloween and Thanksgiving too, and I don’t overshadow either of those holidays. But once this time of year rolls around, my heart gets all warm, fuzzy and excited to celebrate Christmas, and the season is far too short to only enjoy it for a few weeks. So I need to spread that holly jolly shit out for as long as humanly possible. Which btw, means keeping my real Christmas tree up until about mid-January at which point it gets moved from the inside of my house to the outside of my sliding glass doors so I can still enjoy its glorious ambiance for the rest of the winter. And with any luck, once it gets moved outside, it’ll get covered in snow, and I just looooove the glow of Christmas lights under a fresh blanket of snow!
Here’s the thing, if you’re reading this, you either agree me or you don’t. And no-matter where you stand, I respect what works for you. But paaleeeaze, if you’re on the disagree side, do not shit all over my holly jolly parade, because my positive Christmas cheer will trump any bahumbug bitching any day of the year! This I can guarantee you! 😉
But in all seriousness, no matter what holiday you celebrate, and no matter how or when you celebrate it, I seriously urge you to embrace it for what it truly is. Not for the gifts, not the food (although let’s be honest, the food is a major bonus?!) and not the commercialism. Celebrate your blessings – your family, your friends. Embrace the magic of what the holiday actually stands for. Because Christmas is so much more than a season. It’s a wonderful and magical feeling. I truly have Christmas in my heart all year-long, and I absolutely believe this world would be a more beautiful and peaceful place if everyone else did too…