Grateful for Christmas Part 1

Author's Note: I am trying to be more concise in my writings. I have a few friends who choose their words wisely and therefore have to use very few of them, and I'm really jealous of that talent. This post ended up being really long, so I split it up into two parts to make myself feel better about my failed efforts in brevity. The first half contains most of my silly comments on the subject, while the second half is more sincere. 

Here we are again, in that blessed month of November when the whole world fusses at people who are already listening to Christmas music.

Here's the thing. I believe in moderation in all things, so I will usually listen to Christmas music as soon as I feel like it, but usually not exclusively until Thanksgiving is over. That's just the way it happens to play out in my life.

But I also believe in agency--freedom to choose. That means if I want to listen to Christmas songs in October or watch Elf or A Charlie Brown Christmas in May or June, then dadgummit I'm gonna do it!  And I get sad when people criticize that choice.

First, let me say that I disagree with a lot of things about the way Christmas has been commercialized and shoved in our faces super early in the year. For instance, I do think it's odd to see Christmas goodies set out right next to the Halloween clearance, though it's not because I wish there were Thanksgiving decorations (more about that later). I also think some so-called "Christmas songs" (like "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Winter Wonderland," and three quarters of Justin Bieber's Christmas album--all of which I still love) would be more appropriately called winter songs since I, like many others, see Christmas itself as a celebration of the birth of Christ, not as a winter festival.

But the first cordial cherry of the season throws any objections I have to early Christmas candy out the door. And if you like giving gifts, why not get a head start on some of your shopping so that Christmas Eve can be spent with your family instead of out at the store, frantically searching for something? And when the weather starts to chill and it gets dark at 5 PM, some of us need music that makes us feel warm, happy, and nostalgic, and Christmas/winter music fits the bill just perfectly.

People are always going to have different circumstances and preferences that dictate how they celebrate holidays--and that's okay. So if you're one of those who feels like Christmas shouldn't even be talked about until the day after Thanksgiving, that's fine! I don't mind if you feel that way. Just don't get your panties in a wad if I want to listen to my Christmas/winter tunes a little earlier than you.

Truth be told, if Michael Bublé, Stevie Wonder, or even the Biebs would put out a good Thanksgiving album, I'd jam out to that all November with no problem. Until that day comes, though, I'll listen to Mr. Bublé's version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas any time I dern well please. On repeat, even. And I'll cry every time. Shamelessly.