Every year it starts earlier and earlier... and every year people are shocked and upset at the gall of retailers to put up Christmas decorations before THANKSGIVING! And, in some cases, before HALLOWEEN! Usually, I'm in the same boat - "Can't we just celebrate one holiday at a time? Can't we at least have Thanksgiving??" But for some reason this year, I was giddy at the first candy cane I saw... back in October. Instead of rolling my eyes at the giant display of Christmas trees, I hopped up and down and clapped my hands. Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!

I think it probably has something to do with this house I'm living in. I feel a sense of permanence here that I haven't had for quite a few years... since high school, probably. This is my house... my home. It's a great feeling to know that my lease isn't going to end anytime soon and I can settle in here. Which means I can buy Christmas decorations specifically for this house and just store them in the basement until next year. This year, I'll create the first of many boxes of decorations that I'll bring out annually... maybe someday I'll be telling my kids about the ornament that I bought this year.

So, yeah... a month ago, I bought holiday towels and a holiday rug. So what? They were on sale. And I waited patiently until the day after Thanksgiving to display any of my Christmas paraphernalia. On Saturday, Brian and I put up a single string of colored lights on the front of the house. After they were hung, I was so proud! Our house is so festive! This will be the best Christmas ever!

I think all of my anticipation has set me up for disappointment, though... As darkness fell and we switched on those lights, I looked up and down the street. Ours is the only house that's decorated so far... and the lonely string of lights just looks sad. But you wait and see, Neighborhood... I'll show you what I'm made of. I'm made of HOLIDAY CHEER, that's what. If I have to buy a string of lights for every house, so help me God, our street will look FESTIVE.