I know this is a controversial topic, but y'all come on. There is nothing wrong with decorating, playing Christmas songs, and starting to celebrate Christmas early if you want. Hey, it isn't for everyone. Some people like to wait until after Thanksgiving, which is how I was raised, and that is perfectly fine too. But so what if someone wants to start celebrating early? Is it really harming you? And besides, you can celebrate both, it doesn't have to be one or the other.

We have all heard about the conflict over the Starbucks holiday cups because they aren't "Christmas enough." But no one is calling out Starbucks for starting to celebrate the holidays before Thanksgiving is over. No one is on Twitter demanding that they put a turkey on a cup. Maybe this is because deep down, everyone knows that there is nothing wrong with starting to celebrate the best time of the year early. If someone wanted to celebrate your birthday starting a month in advance would you mind? Probably not. So why can't we start celebrating Jesus' birthday a month early. As the songs go "It's the most wonderful time of the year" so the more time we have to celebrate, the better. (Please tell me you didn't smile to yourself when you sang that in your head rather than reading it in your head).

On the topic of Christmas songs, maybe we would hold off on them if there was a Thanksgiving soundtrack. "Roasty the Turkey" and "All I want for Thanksgiving is Food" have a nice ring to them. Someone get on that and make a lot of money. I digress, every non-Scrooge loves a good Christmas carol so why not let us be happy a little early? You don't have to play them in your car or your home but I think there are a lot more important things to worry about than what songs others play. Like said Starbucks holiday cups.

And speaking of Scrooge, where are the Thanksgiving movies? We have tons of Halloween movies, no Thanksgiving movies, and then tons of Christmas movies. Are we just supposed to not watch festive movies for a whole month? That's kind of a tease. Yay movies, then no movies, then yay again. Its too much of a roller coaster. Like with the songs, you don't have to watch them if you don't want to, but don't be a Grinch and try to take others' joy away from them. Well, at least the Grinch changed his ways at the end.

Now about decorations. So what if someone wants to put a tree in their home early? My roommate and I have a baby palm tree in our living room and we find that it really brightens up the space. It also provides us with fresh air inside. If anyone told us not to have a palm tree in our apartment, we would tell them not to come into our apartment. If someone wants to put a Christmas tree up early, let them have their fun. Maybe it makes them extremely happy when they see it every day. Unless you have a problem with happy people, you shouldn't have a problem with decorating early.

Some people will say that "it takes away the specialness of Christmas when people celebrate it too early." I would like to reply "does it really though?" Have you ever heard of someone say mid-December, "Man, I wish I didn't start celebrating Christmas in November, I only have the capacity to celebrate for so long and I don't think I can keep being this festive until Christmas Day." On the contrary, come January, I find myself wishing it were still Christmas time.

Lastly, the Bible calls us to celebrate Jesus's life and death in all that we do. We are called to live like him and spread His good word to all we meet. We should be doing this every day of our lives. For some people, Christmas time is the only time they celebrate Jesus. Why not let Him who died for us be celebrated a little bit longer? Is it bad that Jesus gets celebrated a whole extra month?

So everyone: have yourself a merry little Christmas on this silent night in this winter wonderland because baby, its cold outside since it's a white Christmas and Santa Clause is coming to town with Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and jingle bells.