I love the movie Elf just as much as the next guy. I love the idea of sipping hot chocolate and cuddling up in a blanket next to the glow of a fireplace and a dimly lit Christmas tree, I really do. But please, I’m begging you, give me time.

For those of you that have your Christmas decorations up at the beginning of November, I just want to ask you one thing, why? Why do you have to rush past thanksgiving? Why rush the bone chilling temperatures and snow storms? Can we just stop and smell the pumpkin spice lattes?

I wouldn’t consider myself a scrooge, actually quite the contrary. I just believe that each holiday deserves its rightful time in the spotlight. Just because Halloween is over, you don’t have to rush Christmas. I blame you, Walmart and Hobby Lobby, that have isle upon isle of artificial Christmas trees and stocking stuffers before we’ve even had time to stuff our faces with turkey and mashed potatoes.

There is a time and a place for ugly Christmas sweater parties and Christmas tree decorating, and I believe that is the day after Thanksgiving.

Don’t even get me started about radio stations playing Christmas music. It makes me cry a little inside.

Holidays for me, are a process. I require adequate time to enjoy and savor each holiday in succession. I need to bask in the celebration of each holiday, mourn its loss, and then find consolation in the coming of something new.

Once the festivities begin, I am all in. Bring on the peppermint mochas, Moriah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” the whole nine yards. Just please, for the sake of my sanity, let me take my sweet time. I promise, when the time is right, there will be no one more excited for Christmas than me.