Friday, November 13, 2009

Perfectly Punctual

Jim laughed at me the other day for ranting to him at length about a house I'd seen recently, a house that was already all lit up for Christmas. Yes, he LAUGHED at me, and said that he had long since stopped judging people for getting prematurely in the spirit of the holiday, because if he did that he'd have to judge ME as well. ME! I'll have you know that I wait to do any holiday decorating or festive music listening until the end of November, until at least the day AFTER Thanksgiving, every year even if it kills me. Which as far as I know is a fairly UNIVERSAL rule, right? Anytime after Thanksgiving counts as the Christmas season, anything before counts as TOO EARLY. Back me up here, internet types! I am NOT an early celebrator! I am exactly on time. :)

24 comments:

Jana said...

I'm right there with you! There's a house down the street from us with a nativity scene out front...way too early, I say! The day after Thanksgiving is a perfectly reasonable day to start decorating for Christmas, otherwise, poor Thanksgiving doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

LoriD said...

We usually start the 1st of December (but then, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October). My JEWISH husband would start to decorate for Christmas mid-November if I let him.

Chelle said...

I'm also with you; I don't put up the tree or start decorating until the day after Thanksgiving. I will allow my husband to hang the outside lights earlier than that because of the possibility of it not getting done at all if I make him wait and the weather turns to crap BUT! we don't turn the ligts on until the day after Thanksgiving.

Hillary said...

TOTALLY agree.
Personally, my birthday, in early December, is the start of the holiday season for me. But after Thanksgiving is acceptable.

Nowheymama said...

That is the rule, for sure.

CAQuincy said...

A LOT of lights went up around our neighborhood last weekend. I think it's mainly because it was such a NICE weekend and folks thought, Hey! Let's get these up when it's not FREEZING outside! (Not many are turning ON the lights yet--but they are totally UP.)

d e v a n said...

I think that's the traditional rule. I think our Christmas tree is going up on Thanksgiving or the day after this year. lol

Fran said...

I agree with you. Our tradition is that the day after Thanksgiving we watch "A Christmas Carol" and decide when we will decorate. (we watch the 195something black and white version starring Alistair Sim which I believe is the best one ever!) I have a s-i-l who decorated last week and I think she is DERANGED!! But that's a whole nuther story

Swistle said...

You are right: "day after Thanksgiving" is not even a little bit early, it's right on time.

Saly said...

I saw the exact same thing yesterday! We also always wait until the day after Thanksgiving too.

Marie Green said...

Anytime after Thanksgiving is fine, but not a moment before. =)

Jess said...

I am dying to get a tree and put up some lights. But never before Thanksgiving. No no. The waiting/anticipation is part of the ritual!

Erin said...

100% with you.

Christmas season begins on Thanksgiving day.

The End.

Banana said...

"Christmastime" as I like to call it, is officially from the day after Thanksgiving until January 2. I am DYING to put up decorations and get a tree now, but as it is not officially "Christmastime" I must wait two weeks. Any earlier and it starts to lose it's luster by the actual holiday.

Sarah said...

I can't even tell you how gratified your comments are making me feel. I knew I had it right. And I knew no one actually waited until, like, CHRISTMAS EVE to put up the tree like they do in old-fashioned movies. MAYBE some people wait until first week of December. I can see that. That's not too LATE or anything. But as long as it's after Thanksgiving, I don't think it constitutes being "early" either. And I shall now consider this matter closed for all eternity.
*brushes hands together smugly*

Tracy said...

After thanksgiving is perfect. :) We have our tradition of getting our tree the day after thanksgiving. Every. single. year. :)

Sarah said...

I, too, have to contain myself to wait until the day after Thanksgiving. But, I already have my tub of Christmas decorations out and ready to be sorted so I don't have to mess with that hassle and can skip right to the fun part: decorating!

Katy said...

My tradition is the day after Thanksgiving, but my husband thinks thats nuts. He thinks December first. I think that's not enough holiday.

Jessica said...

Day after Thanksgiving here. Although I am embarassed to admit I listen to Christmas music much earlier.

jim said...

anything before december is just plain crazy

Mommy Daisy said...

I've seen a few houses near you that put up lights/decorations right after Halloween. That's a bit crazy.

But after Thanksgiving is perfect.

Matt won't let me do before Thanksgiving normally, but this year I might put the tree up earlier. We had to move all the decorations, because they were in the utility room in the garage where we just replaced a window. Now they're in the way in the garage. So Matt said it was fine if I put them up. ;) We'll see.

Shelly said...

Yes, day after Thanksgiving is fine. It's kinda early, in that it's still November, but at least Thanksgiving IS over.

Anonymous said...

Black friday is practically a holiday in itself now, isn't it? So it's only fair that you draw them both out together to be one big happy season. It's funny, I get SO ANGRY about the lights and the stores monetizing on it in september, but the moment black friday hits, I'm suddenly like "hurrah! Egg nog, now!"

bingo woman said...

Good to have your spirit turned on for the holidays! It's lovely to decorate earlier than usual. Congratulations, btw.