My mouth is my worst enemy. It has been since I was a child. But if I have something that I think needs to be said, I have to say it. If I don’t, I feel like the words pile up higher and higher in my head until eventually my head is the size of a beach ball that just keeps getting larger until eventually it bursts. That, coupled with my passion for the things I believe in most, equals a recipe for a girl who pretty much spends her whole life standing on her soap box. Well, again I find myself standing on this box and I have a lot to say. Here goes nothing…Why do you care if people begin to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving or Halloween or the Fourth of July for that matter?!
Social media is abuzz with pictures of freshly decorated trees and mistletoe hung in place. After all, ‘tis the season! However, it never fails that some Scrooge will always come along and comment on said picture or status with a gem like, “It’s too early, gotta have turkey first!” or “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet?” I’ve even seen people who are so passionate about their dislike for premature decorating that they feel compelled to post their own status about it. They usually say something like, “Why can’t people just celebrate each holiday individually?” Again, to this I say, “Why do you care?” I even saw someone who claimed that Christmas should be celebrated in December because that’s the month Jesus was born. I realize that we celebrate his birth on December 25th, but I clearly must have skipped the verse that said he really was born on December 25th.
Why do people feel like it’s a personal attack against them and the pilgrims if I put my tree up on November 1st? It’s not. It’s just how I choose to do things. That doesn’t mean you should. There’s no agency that monitors our homes to be sure we’re partaking in traditional holiday activities on certain dates. (At least I don’t think there is.) You do your thing, I’ll do mine. I’ll admit that around Halloween, when I start to see Christmas items for sale in stores, I always think it’s a bit early, but I don’t have to buy them! It doesn’t offend me if other people choose to. I just see it as a company knowing how to market to their consumers.
I guess what bugs me most about this is that Thanksgiving through Christmas is the happiest time of the year for me. What’s wrong with wanting that happiness to start a little early? I love that people are making a conscious effort to extend the spirit of Christmas in their homes. It’s a happier time. Personally, I think what we all need a little more of is the Christmas spirit all year long. So, if you want to make s’mores, watch the 4th of July fireworks, and then put up your Christmas tree, then DO IT! There’s no reason not to. In the words of Charles Dickens, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
Three Ladies and Their Babies 
Putting my tree up tomorrow. I’ve made myself wait long enough 😉