I was driving home from work on November 10^th, approximately 45 days before Christmas (and 14 days before Thanksgiving) when I noticed a truck in front of my neighbor’s house. Landscapers, I assumed, until I drove up closer and saw red and green lights being strung across the rooftops. What happened then? Well in Whoville they say, my small heart grew three sizes that day.

My first reaction: “YES. Someone made the first move. Time to get to the basement and start dusting off those boxes of ornaments and Christmas CD’s”

But how early is too early?

The day before (November 9^th), my coworker and I broke out the Christmas music at the front desk. Thank you, Mariah Carey Pandora.

Two weeks before that (October 26^th), I went on my first official Christmas shopping spree. The trunk of my car looks like Walmart’s layaway warehouse in the middle of December.

And quite a few months before that (December 26^th, 2015), I began my 2016 Christmas list.

Sue me.

Outdoor Christmas decorations are perhaps the most disputed topic. Did you ever walk your dog passed rows of candy caned lined driveways in April and wonder what possessed them to want to drive through Gum Drop Mountain everyday before work? Did they find Hasbro’s King Kandy yet?

I have news for you. Congratulations Christmas lovers… string lights are in! Look at any apartment renovation site or trendy pinterest-inspired bedroom décor. Hipsters are taking over and that means string lights, under ANY circumstance, are officially allowed.

In all seriousness, leave your neighbors alone. Let them do what makes them happy. If Christmas lights light up their life (or act as a communication portal to their lost son in another dimension), keep them up! But no one said your blow up snow globe and life size Santa’s sleigh should stay out until June. Lock that sh*t up.

So how much is it really hurting you to hear about all Mariah Carey wants for Christmas on repeat or to watch the Grinch unsuccessfully stealing Christmas time and time again? Take your Ebenezer Scrooginess somewhere else because this holiday season is much needed! For a country that’s so divided over politics, the lighthearted togetherness of holiday spirit should help join us.

Don’t stress about presents and prices. Remember what it felt like to be a kid on Christmas morning and tap into that a little early this year. We can all benefit from some Christmas spirit and joy!

So go out and chop down the best looking blue spruce you can find. Put up your 20-year-old ornaments. Turn on your Glee Christmas edition soundtrack. String festive lights from every viable corner, inside and out. Dress your Corgi in a Santa beard and boots. Smile and be merry!