Of course, when you think of the holidays I'm sure "awkward" isn't the first word you'd use to describe such a wonderful time of the year. I'd like to say the in-between stage from Thanksgiving to Christmas is by far the most awkward.

Thanksgiving was always the holiday before the real holiday season. I love family and good food but once Black Friday hits, every Bath and Body Works officially ditches any trace of Pumpkin Spice for Vanilla Bean Noel. That once it passes, Thanksgiving would just be a memory and all you have left of it are the many leftovers you keep munching on up until Christmas.

The "in-between" phase is probably the most awkward. That time between early December to mid-December where everyone is getting out their holiday cards. That time when Thanksgiving just ended a day ago and you already are decorating your Christmas tree. Every year my kitchen's blinds are filled with holiday cards even right after Thanksgiving. I always thought it was awkward having Christmas cards displayed so early. It was even more awkward for me when my family received cards that only addressed Christmas. Since I am Jewish, it wouldn't really make sense to be wished a Merry Christmas . And I never knew whether to be like, "thank you" or just think "sorry I'm Jewish." But my family put them up anyway because it's the thought that counts. This is just one of many awkward moments around the holidays that I can laugh at.

Bath and Body Works is the queen of making me uncomfortable around the holidays. I went to one of the stores even before Thanksgiving, in Florida and the store was practically puking Christmas spirit. As I was looking at holiday themed fuzzy socks and scented candles, Christmas songs played in the background as the scent of Vanilla Bean Noel filled the room. Personally, too much spirit at that time is just awkward , but kind of in a funny way. Sometimes people are just a little too excited. Like when my neighbors put up Christmas displays all over their yards with twinkling reindeer and Santas before Thanksgiving even passes. Or when people put up their Christmas trees a month before Christmas even starts. It's funny how one holiday turned into a whole season, where it is never too early to have holiday spirit. Soon people will be putting up trees during Halloween time. And although it's awkwardly early, it's kinda nice.

All in all, the awkwardness of the holidays are kind of what the time of year is all about. We all love those ugly Christmas sweaters, and drinking hot cocoa even if it might be summer weather where you are. It's the leading up to the real holiday season that is slightly awkward but also the best part of it. The holiday season is the perfect excuse to splurge, decorate cookies or a Christmas tree, ice skate or sip hot cocoa by the fire. It seems like the prepping for the holidays might be just as exciting as the holiday season.