Two of my kids came home from school to observe candles lit on the dining room table, muffins on a Christmas tree tray and 'Is Zat You Santa Claus' blaring from the living room.
"Mom, what is going on?" my daughter shouted. "Please turn it off."
Yes, I admit even for me it was weird. Deep down, I knew it was wrong, but I didn't care. I was like Superman and my kryptonite had arrived - about an inch of snow on November 16. It made everything look a lot like Christmas and I wanted to bask in it. The snow wore down my defenses and I was not up for a fight.
Funny thing is I didn't wake up that way. In fact, an hour before the holiday spirit took over my body I was buying up what was left of 70% off Halloween decorations at the local dollar store. I had a basket full of spiders, window cling skeletons and webbing I planed to pack away to surprise myself when I unpack the tote next October. But the Thanksgiving stuff was bookended around the Halloween stuff. Then the Christmas stuff was just across the aisle. I was...defenseless.
Although I managed to get out of there without any tinsel, the seed was planted. When I got home, I baked muffins and made a pot of potato soup. The view from my kitchen window was hard to ignore - the shed, trees and bushes lined with snow. (Blades of green grass could still be detected as the snow wasn't deep enough to make it a true Norman Rockwell scene.) The wind was howling adding a chill to the air and, for me, the only blanket big enough and warm enough to drive away the winter blues was to embrace the only thing I like about winter, Christmas.
I have been a staunch believer that Christmas music is for after Thanksgiving. There were even years I made my family wait until December 1 to start listening to anything ho, ho, ho and fa, la, la. Before you report me to the Grinch Patrol, I have since seen the error in my ways. Now, after I have consumed my second plate of stuffing and sampled every pumpkin dessert, it is time for Bing, Dean and The Beach Boys. To be fair, I just wanted to be sure as a family, we could devote time to be thankful for our blessings before diving headfirst into the consumerism that Christmas often brings.
There are mixed opinions out there about Christmas music being played before Thanksgiving. Last Friday, for Light Up Night in the city, some local radio stations started their 24/7 holiday music through December 25. You may not know this, but being the first station in the city to go all carols is kind of a big deal. I was lucky a few years back to be working in radio and experience the weird excitement surrounding "flipping the switch". High fives, hugs, cheers, the only thing missing was Buddy the Elf telling everyone "You did it. Great job everybody!"
Now I am stuck. I started something I don't think I can finish but luckily there are only a few hours left before I can, without guilt, immerse myself in the songs of the season. Maybe we need musicians to start recording Thanksgiving hits for people to enjoy, in lieu of carols, until Black Friday? I already have a few titles picked out, The Little Drumstick Joy, I'll Be Home For Leftovers, Carol of The Belch. Now, I've gone too far.
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| Bring on the carols 2016 |
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