This Tuesday Americans will go to the polls to make a decision that will determine what direction our country will go in for the next four years. But the real decision Americans will make, need to make is… Do I put Christmas decorations up now or wait until after Thanksgiving?

Nowadays you can start seeing Christmas-themed commercials and Christmas decorations in stores around Halloween. For many people (like me) that is too early to start with the Christmas-ing. Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas, it is my favorite holiday, but give Halloween and Thanksgiving their due. Some stores can resist and wait to air their commercials on November 1^st. But as soon as you turn on your television or go to the store on November 1^st, it looks like Santa’s workshop exploded. Where’s Thanksgiving? “Where’s the turkey, Chuck? Where's the mashed potatoes? Where's the cranberry sauce? Where's the pumpkin pie?" Sorry, went a little Peppermint Patty there, but where’s Thanksgiving?!

Many people think Thanksgiving gets the short end of the holiday stick because it is not as commercialized as Halloween and Christmas. So, for people on this side of the argument, they believe people should chill out with the Christmas stuff until after Thanksgiving. No Christmas: no music in the stores or on the radio, no decorations, no commercials. The focus needs to be on the values of Thanksgiving: thankfulness and togetherness. There are some companies that capitalize on the “lack” of Thanksgiving promo with Thanksgiving themed commercials, no Christmas decorations just a turkey and family. Surprisingly, Wal-Mart is the leader of these Thanksgiving commercials and they are very sweet.

On the other hand, we have the Christmas fanatics, who as soon as the clock turned 12:00 A.M on November 1^st busted out the Christmas carols. The stores capitalize on this with a barrage of beautiful Christmas commercials (even replaying some classics that have been around since I was small child). I know the Christmas parade has come to town when the Hershey’s Kisses’ Christmas Bells commercial plays. And honestly, I don’t hate it.

Yes, yes, I get it when people say Thanksgiving is getting skipped over, but I love how excited people are for Christmas. Some of the aspects of the commercialization of Christmas are gross but the spirit is somewhere in the madness. There are some wonderful moments in this seemingly early Christmas chaos. I get super excited when I see kids’ toy commercials and the “3-minute Smile” my local news station hosts where kids from our area get to smash through Wal-Mart and get literally whatever they want from the toy section. It is like “Super Market Sweep” but with bikes and action figures.

Also, everything edible now has a peppermint version and it is the best thing ever. That’s kind of why I don’t give people who love pumpkin spice (insert thing here) too much flack. I become a hardcore basic bitch when it comes to peppermint anything! They are my jam!

So, the real question in the entire “debate” is: Is it too early to start with all the Christmas celebrations? Should everything have to wait until after Thanksgiving or can the tinsel, holly and jingles start now? And honestly, I say do whatever makes you happy. If you don’t want to start celebrating Christmas and give Thanksgiving its due, then do that. Or if you already put up your trees and your dog has a Santa hat coming from Amazon Prime, then more power to you. Whatever side you happen to be on just remember: we live in a “free” country where if you’re not hurting anyone then its legal. So, calm down with the aggressive I see from both sides of this argument. People can get very feisty when it comes to this subject. Take a few deep breaths, sip on your PSL or PMM (peppermint mocha) and love the season for the happiness, joy, togetherness and blessings that have been bestowed upon you.

Be happy and be merry, that’s all I ask.