To those of you who are upset with people being prematurely excited for the holidays, hear me out.

I used to be like you. Seeing Christmas decorations in the yard and holly jolly songs in stores before Thanksgiving made me irrationally angry.

How can people thoroughly celebrate Thanksgiving if they're already geared up for Christmas? Can't we at least get through Halloween before Walmart aisles explode with reindeer, tinsel, and snowmen dressed as Santa?

What if I told you it's possible to do both? Sure, maybe Halloween is just a little too early to break out the eggnog, but we shouldn't be judging people if they want to get in the holiday spirit in November.

However, I do think it is completely reasonable to be excited for Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever celebration you observe, and at the same time give Thanksgiving the recognition it deserves.

Let's just face the facts here; Thanksgiving, while being an absolutely important holiday, does not get the same amount of hype as Christmas does. There aren't many well-known songs, no enormous, commercially-driven emphasis on giving and receiving gifts. I can understand why people argue for the separation of the holidays, so as not to further overshadow Thanksgiving with Christmas.

I think simultaneously celebrating the two holidays is a fair practice. Of course I am still going to enjoy Thanksgiving, even though I have already decorated my apartment for Christmas and have been listening to "Jingle Bell Rock" for several weeks.

There are much more pressing issues than early holiday preparations that can be focused on. I can understand if someone just genuinely detests the holiday season and all that goes with it, but why should they demand others to stop doing what makes them happy?

I don't force my Christmas excitement on other people; I just want the freedom to be pumped up for the most wonderful time of the year.

Once November begins, I can't help but eagerly look forward to Christmas. I love everything about the holiday season - the lights, cheerful music, a fresh blanket of snow, and getting together to celebrate with family and friends. Coming to the end of another semester isn't too bad, either.

If I had to hold off on all of this until after Thanksgiving, the holiday season would feel too rushed and go by much too quickly. This time of the year always flies by, and I want to spend as much time as I can immersed in all the joy and glad tidings.

This beautiful fall weather we are enjoying is making it a little more difficult for me to get into the Christmas spirit, but autumn is also my favorite of the four seasons, so I'm definitely not complaining.

Once the weather gets a little chillier, or maybe if we get just a little bit of snow, my anticipation for Christmas will be exponentially higher.

So run off and grab your copy of "Home Alone," turn up the Christmas tunes, and enjoy your early celebrating with someone you love.

And while it's always essential to keep Thanksgiving in there, don't be a Grinch to those of us who wait all year to deck the halls and go rockin' around the Christmas tree.