The Post in which I rant about Christmas

Here I go again. 

Another rant about Christmas decorations coming out too early.

Each year my tolerance for this goes way down.

Exhibit A:

I went to Target on October 29th to get a few last minute items for our Halloween Party. 

To my surprise, the Halloween Isles were pretty much gone because the North Freaking Pole had arrived.

NOT OKAY.

 Fast Forward a few days later when I went to the Mall to get a birthday present for my niece.

And, there he was. 

SANTA. 

AT THE MALL.

On November 2nd.

Look at this guy wearing shorts. It was like 90 degrees out. Not Christmas weather!!!

I don't know why all of this bothers me so much.

Each year, I tell myself not to get annoyed when Christmas stuff comes out before Thanksgiving, but I just can't help it. 

Especially because I feel like each year, Christmas comes earlier & earlier.

And, today, I was at Walgreens (which was playing Christmas music and totally decked out with Christmas decorations.) I heard a little girl, who was either 3 or 4 say to her mom, 

"Did we already have Thanksgiving? All the Christmas stuff is out"

 If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know I have "rules" about Christmas.

Here are my Christmas "rules"
1. No Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving.
2. No Christmas movies until the day after Thanksgiving
3. Absolutely no Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving.
4. No peppermint mochas until the day after Thanksgiving.

(actually, I won't even eat any Peppermint flavored foods/cookies/etc until December. I am all about Pumpkin in October & November)
5. No Black Friday shopping.

Don't EVEN get me started on Black Friday shopping. 

This year, they are calling it Black Thursday because some stores (Wal Mart & Sears) are opening at 8pm on Thanksgiving night. I can't believe it. So, so wrong.

I feel like society is skipping over & forgetting about Thanksgiving.
It makes me sad to think that some people might rush through their Thanksgiving dinner so that they go shopping and get the best deals.
Isn't Thanksgiving about spending time with family and reflecting on all that God has blessed you with & all that you have to be thankful for? I don't understand why we want to skip over the holiday.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Christmas. One of my favorite holidays.
But, I think that is why I get annoyed when people set up Christmas stuff early.
I think it feels more important/sacred when it is celebrated for a smaller amount of time.
It looses it's luster when it drags on for so long.
I truly believe Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.
A time to celebrate the birth of Christ and God's gift to us.
When that becomes so commercialized & overdone it isn't as special.

I am literally giddy (like a kid on Christmas morning.... ha!) when I wake up the day after Thanksgiving because I know that it is the day that we get to go buy our Christmas tree, listen to Christmas music and Deck our Halls.
The day after Thanksgiving is (to me) the day that signifies the beginning of the CHRISTmas season, the most wonderful (and sacred) time of the year.

 I have my stance & I am sticking to it! 

If you are one who is already listening to Christmas music & getting out your decorations... It's all good, we can still be friends, right? :)

Be sure to come back tomorrow....I have a new Thanksgiving Printable for you...hopefully it will get you in the Thanksgiving Spirit!