If you love Christmas like I do, then you understand just how exciting life gets toward the end of October. Yeah, I know that's Halloween territory (and that's mainly just to satisfy our "Hocus Pocus" and Tim Burton cravings) but who are we kidding? It's Christmastime! As soon as there is a bite in the air, it's time to start breaking out the wish list! Here are some thoughts all of my fellow Christmas lovers can relate to:
1. November 1st!
Yes, you heard me correctly, November 1st! As soon as you strip off the Halloween costume, it's time to get into the spirit! Sure, Thanksgiving is on the way, but that is basically just a dress rehearsal for Christmas dinner!
2. Christmas music!
There is no shame in your game, and you break out the Christmas station on Pandora at the beginning of October with no regrets! I challenge anyone to frown on the way to class or work with "Sleigh Ride" playing in their earbuds.
3. There is no such thing as "too many" decorations!
As soon as the ghosts and goblins are away, it's time to dust off the countless boxes of Christmas delights in storage. Yet you know that those boxes will inevitably double by the end of the season, because who knows what new beauties will be out this year!
4. Presents, presents, presents!
If you're a true Christmas lover, your joy will come from giving --not receiving! No, I don't mean that in the Hallmark-y loving way, I mean it quite selfishly! Christmas lovers get a very strange, very unique high from shopping for gifts, purchasing the perfect ones, and wrapping them in just the right way!
5. Break out the VHS!
It's Christmas movie time, and that means get out the classics! "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "It's a Wonderful Life," "A Christmas Story," and "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" are the ones I'm talking about! Those movies that no matter what is going on, they bring the family together and make everyone happy.
6. No time for haters!
You're in the spirit, and good for you! There will always be people ready to shoot down your Christmas cheer, and you should never give into that negativity! If they want to be Scrooges, that's their choice (but let's see what happens when it's time to open presents!).
7. Bake all of the things!
There is a lot to love about Christmas, but if you can only appreciate one thing, appreciate the baked goods! Cakes, pies, cookies, and gingerbread! I know I for one just can't resist the call of the apron during the holiday season!
8. Let it snow, let it snow (please!).
Now, snow isn't a guarantee during the Christmas season (for some horrible reason), but that doesn't mean you aren't wishing for it! If you are a Christmas lover, then you are clearly wishing for a white Christmas in your hometown, whether it's likely or not (sorry Floridians!).
9. Ugly Christmas sweaters!
The true test of a Christmas fanatic -- your willingness to lower your dignity to showcase your holiday joy! If you have a special spot in your closet for your dollar store jewels, then congratulations, you are a true believer!
10. Peppermint... everything?
OK, so maybe it was the candy canes that did it, but somewhere along the line the unspoken rule emerged that everything peppermint must rear its head at Christmastime! From peppermint teas, to cakes, to the all-holy peppermint mocha from Starbucks, things are about to get minty up in here (and we are't mad about it!)
11. Tree shopping!
The epitome of the Christmas spirit -- the tree! Everyone has their favorite tree farm to visit every year. Whether it's the local salesman who breaks out the cozy setup in your hometown each year, or if your family packs up the car for a mountain road trip to Christmas tree heaven, everyone has their own special tradition. Unless you use a fake tree, in which case... how dare you.
12. Bring on the family!
All families have their problems, but this is the time to put them all aside. Christmas is a time for love, and most importantly: family. Set aside differences, and remember if you are lucky enough to have a family, that this is the time to appreciate them (and annoy them, of course!).
If you are looking for a playlist to get you into the spirit, here is the one I enjoyed while writing this piece:
