by Siobhan Miller
As I sift through the various radio stations, glimpses of pop, country, rock, and techno blur together before finally Michael Buble and Shania Twain’s “White Christmas” breaks through the wavelength. I glance up at my older sister, Keara, hoping she will share in the glory of my song seeking success. However, she immediately slows the car and changes the station, shouting, “It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, Siobhan!” I slouch deeper into my seat and glare out the window. As we drive past the plaza, Keara remarks on the “obnoxious” Christmas displays. I nod half heartedly in agreement as I inwardly smile at the plastic Santa’s waving to me from the store windows.
I love Christmas. In fact, the only real reason I wait to put up my Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving is because I know I’ll be shunned by the “Scrooge-like” population. I get it, I really do. I know I shouldn’t be so anticipated for one holiday that I overlook the other. But once those Christmas displays fill the store windows and the snow (hopefully!) starts to fall, my Christmas spirit is unstoppable. I suddenly find myself buying candy canes by the bulk every time I go to the grocery store and drinking hot cocoa whenever it’s available. I begin to notice that my Christmas Pandora station has begun to play repeats and I’ve already seen the movie playing on the Hallmark channel’s “Countdown to Christmas.” Am I ashamed? Not at all. In fact, one of my favorites is “A Princess For Christmas.”
Something about Christmas just makes it surpass all other holidays. Whether it’s the soothing voice of “Delilah” over the radio or the brilliant Christmas lights shining through my windows, it’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. From chopping down the tree to purchasing gifts and setting up decorations, preparation is half the fun. Not to mention baking cookies, ice skating, or taking pictures with Santa at Crown Center. Everyone just seems to be in a better mood.
My point is, whether you feel ready to celebrate Christmas before December or not, that’s up to you. But as of today there are only 15 days until Christmas and I intend to spend each and every one of them in preparation. It only comes once a year, after all. So while you enjoy your Thanksgiving feasts, just know that this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful that it’s almost Christmas.
