Last week, while driving my kids around town, I happened to tune into a radio station playing Christmas tunes. Initially, I was thrown off, much like running into your boss at the supermarket in sweatpants. Everything felt out of place.
But once I recognized the cheery melodies, my first reaction was, “Oh, come on! It’s too early for this!” I felt the familiar annoyance, similar to when my favorite store starts shoving school supplies in my face while I’m still enjoying summer.
After a brief denial phase—where I adamantly told myself that the holidays were months away—I found myself in a different mindset. As I listened to my children squabble and read yet another disheartening news article, I thought, “Why not? Let’s bring on the festive cheer!”
I know that diving into holiday decorations this early is generally frowned upon. Truth be told, I’m not even a huge fan of holiday decor. It takes effort to rearrange furniture for a Christmas tree that sheds needles everywhere. Plus, the task of dusting off a collection of gaudy decorations feels overwhelming at times.
But this year, I’m breaking the unspoken rule of “no holiday cheer before Thanksgiving.” We haven’t even begun to thaw the turkey, and pumpkin spice season is still in full swing. Yet, I feel an urge to ignore the naysayers.
Sure, it feels odd to hang tinsel when leaves are still swirling in the crisp fall air, but who cares? I’m ready to swap out the pumpkins for some joyful sparkle. I crave bright red ornaments, shimmering tinsel, and festive lights that bring warmth and joy into my home.
Fortunately, I’ve got a cache of decorations from last year and didn’t bother taking down the outdoor lights, so I’m ready to go. Instead of waiting for that post-Thanksgiving rush, I’m pulling out the red and green bins today. Bing Crosby will be my soundtrack as I deck the halls, and I’ll probably rewatch Love Actually for the umpteenth time, laughing at Clark Griswold’s antics in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
I’m going to greet strangers with a cheerful “Happy Holidays!” while burning pine-scented candles and splurging on shiny decorations from my favorite craft store, even though crafting isn’t really my thing. I might even slap some silly Rudolph car decals on my minivan.
I’m determined to do whatever it takes to feel merry and bright. If you’re one of those folks who insists on waiting until after Thanksgiving, maybe keep your opinions to yourself. Studies show that people who start decorating early tend to be happier.
Let’s face it, the world can often feel chaotic and dark, so we have to find joy where we can. By extending the holiday season, I’m giving a big “no thanks” to negativity. The world could use more sparkle right now, and I’m all in.
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In summary, I’m ready to embrace the joy of the holiday season early this year, and I encourage others to join me in spreading cheer and positivity.
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