Christmas time is here... Okay, not really but it might as well be.

It's October; the weather is changing, it's already begun to snow in some parts of the country, and people are asking others for Christmas lists. The only thing missing from this list is Christmas music. There's always a debate about how soon is too soon for Christmas music. Personally, I think it's acceptable to listen to Christmas music all year round but others would say differently. So, when is it the right time?

It seems as if Christmas decorations come out before Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations. You start to see them in late September early October. Layaway also begins at this time in many stores to get started for the holiday season, as well as the beginning of the greatest sales of the year. It should now be acceptable to listen to Christmas music.

Not only does Christmas music bring joy to an individual, but it can also set them into the mood for the holidays. It's the time when people go back to their childhood and see their old idol, Santa Claus. Listening to those songs about Santa coming to town puts people into that Christmas spirit. Just hearing "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" or "Frosty the Snowman" can start that holiday cheer a bit earlier. Christmas music can also help a person realize early on what Christmas is all about. It also can help keep them from getting all wrapped up in the consumerism retail stores has made Christmas.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's ironic but true. It's when the family gets together when others hear from one another about how they're doing and when Christmas cards with family photos are being sent out. Christmas music just seems to pull all of that together.

You might as well jump on the bandwagon. I mean, all the television channels are talking about it. The Hallmark channel is ready for their holiday season with a plethora of festive movies lined up, and twenty-five days of Christmas has already been talked about on Free Form, including the countdown to "the Countdown of Christmas". Just seeing Charlie Brown specials gets a person ready for the holiday season. More than likely, an individual will probably catch themselves humming a Christmas tune.

I'm not saying that it is acceptable to start playing it on the radio, but why keep it away from people's personal playlists? Let the Christmas fanatics divulge in an early Christmas music binge because it could truly mean this is the one time of the year they are happy. If you want to wait until Thanksgiving or Black Friday that's fine since it is seen as more acceptable. However, you might be playing catch up with others especially those who keep their Christmas lights up all year round, but it is ultimately your choice. The real issue, though, is why do they continue to play Christmas music after the 25th of December?