Goodbye Halloween, HELLLOOOOO Christmas!
I know what you’re thinking. I can see the eye rolls through my screen. What about Thanksgiving? you ask. Stop rushing through November and let the turkey have his day, you say. I get those points, I do. However, it’s my house and I’ll put up my Christmas tree early if I want to!
Christmas is a very special time for my family. We absolutely love the joy that fills our home by the simple sights of Christmas decorations. The mere tune of a Christmas carol sets our hearts aglow like the wood burning in our fireplace. Baking Christmas goodies and setting them out for all to enjoy gives each of us a warm and fuzzy feeling that we wish to never end. Hallmark Christmas movie nights accompanied by the beautifully lit tree is what our dreams are made of. We love Christmas and the wonderment the season brings to our home.
Years ago I abided by the traditions set forth by generations of beautiful Southern women. I never wore white after labor day, eating blackeyed peas and cabbage was a staple on New Year’s Day, and putting up my Christmas tree before Thanksgiving was unheard of. But just as the leaves change from green to brown, so has my concern for what others think.
The moment the clock strikes midnight on November 1st, there is a magical red and green dust that sprinkles all throughout my house. The smell of freshly baked cookies pushes the pumpkin spice right out the back door. Garland starts creeping out of my attic door and behind it the lawn décor all lined up at attention ready for another year of putting smiles on my kids’ faces. The larger than life Christmas wreath rolls down the attic stairs and jumps in place on the front door. The stockings shake off the dust that’s collected on their felt and make their way to the hearth. Christmas is in the air, even if the weather still thinks it’s summer.
The week after Halloween is a time of getting my Christmas gear out and in order. My husband gives me the look of “Here we go again” as I give him sweet eyes guiding him and his manly muscles to the attic door. With every box removed the kids and I squeal with excitement. We blast our favorite Pandora Christmas station and seriously savor every moment of transforming our home. It doesn’t take long for our house to go from Halloween Town to the North Pole and with every passing year we get our transition time down by days.
I’ve heard the naysayers complain about people pursuing Christmas season too soon. They moan about the Christmas songs already on the radio, and they gripe about Christmas decorations in stores months before Jesus’ birthday. The Christmas memes I start posting in early November are sure to be met with opposition. My Christmas tree glory picture that I share with social media friends a week after Halloween will get likes, but will get just as many eye roll emojis too. So just like I squash the rotted carved pumpkins that sat on the front porch the month before, so do I squash those negative words and facial expressions because this momma is PUMPED and cannot wait one more moment to put up my Christmas tree–so get off me!
Not every household prepares their home for the Christmas season as early as we do and not every mom enjoys having their tree up with all the décor it brings, and that’s okay. Having the Christmas season last for two months rather than one month has given my family such satisfaction and allows us to soak in all of the wonderful aspects of the holidays. These Christmas memories will leave lasting impressions that we will savor for years and years to come–especially since our holiday celebrating starts sooner than most!
Note: No elves or reindeer were harmed in the putting up of my tree before Thanksgiving or in the writing of this article.
I absolutely agree with every single word Katie!! I hear my neighbors complain year after year because I put my Christmas decorations up way too soon!