My life is hectic enough without rushing things. I need to take things as they come. Can someone please explain to me when the Christmas season started before Halloween was over? (I know it's not PC not to include Hannukah or Kwanzaa when referencing the winter holidays, but it appears that only us Christmas people go this insane at this time of the year.)
My neighbors have a full blown, lit Christmas tree in the front window already. And it's been there for at least a week, if not longer. I'm not terribly observant when it comes to that stuff. Several neighbors have their houses beautifully lit. Now, I realize we have had a couple lovely weekends that would make doing the outdoor lighting much easier, but really? Do you have to plug them in already?
Personally, I refuse to acknowlege the existence of Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving. Our house is in full blown turkey mode, with the fridge crammed to the gills with ingredients for the big day and concerns as to whether we have enough silverware and china for everyone to use. Friday morning, I will assemble our artificial tree and bust out the stockings. But not until then.
I've been accused of being a Scrooge (thanks, Mom) but it's not for a lack of Christmas spirit. It's for an abundance of Thanksgiving. Our national day of thanks is being skipped over in favor of the commercial side of Christmas. I would rather take the month of November to be thankful for all the blessings I have than plotting my Black Friday strategy. And given that my oldest son has turned into a 6'2" young man in the blink of an eye, I am not a fan if rushing time along.
If you have already put your decorations up, maybe next year, consider waiting through the Thanksgiving holiday next year. Enjoy the end of Fall and this time to slow down before the holiday chaos is in full swing. And if you are like me, and refuse to bust out the Christmas box until after Thanksgiving, no matter what my mom says, you are not a Scrooge at all.
As a side note, please remember that Saturday, November 26th, is Small Business Saturday. We are so lucky here in Evanston to have so many locally owned and operated shops. Please start (or finish as the case may be) your holiday shopping at any of them. They appreciate your business.
