Youltide

Friday, November 25th, 2022. Yesterday was Thanksgiving of course, so today is known as…..the day after Thanksgiving.

Ok today’s mostly known by another name these days. The term ‘Black Friday’ has been pounded into our collective psyche for so long now that it’s pretty much what most people think of when thinking about today. Sales. The official start of the Christmas season. The mad rush to put up Christmas decorations this weekend, including lights on the roof and any yard decor you may have. Don’t have any yard decor? You better get some if ya wanna keep up with the neighbors. Duh!

There’s a neighborhood a couple of miles from me that’s well known for its outdoor Christmas decorations. People come from all over the region to drive through at night, or to park and simply walk it with a hot beverage in hand. It’s become an annual “thing” for so many families and Christmas aficionados. What sets this neighborhood apart from most is that the decorations are extremely over the top – the amount of lights and the yard decor, everything from Peanuts-themed, Disney-themed, to you-name-it-themed. Not just a little. A lot.

A real estate agent friend of mine has sold homes to people in said neighborhood, and buyers are always given fair warning: you’re strongly encouraged to deck your house out during the holidays, it would help you to get along with the neighbors. This isn’t simply advice from my friend – it’s more like the unwritten rule of the hood: follow our lead and we’ll all get along.

While I appreciate the holiday season and what it stands for, I’ve never been one to just flip the switch right after Thanksgiving and start putting decorations up, saying Merry Christmas to people or to start watching holiday movies. It may sound scrooge-like, but people who say Merry Christmas on November 25th (or anytime in November and even early December as far as I’m concerned), well…they’re kinda annoying. Ha! Of course they’re usually just good people who love the season, but hey….you do realize we’re a month out from the big day, right??

I don’t blame them, and of course it’s not just them. Holiday television commercials, specials and movies are already in full force, the inundation has begun. And truth be told, with all of the foreign and domestic insanity going on, perhaps an early start to “good cheer season” is just what we need. I’m good with the concept of it – just don’t want boughs of holly crammed down my throat just yet, thankuverymuch.

The good news is, we live in a free country (yay!) and we can celebrate – or not – however and whenever we see fit. Some of my Facebook friends have already posted pics of their Christmas trees and other decorations – more power to them and whatever makes you happy. But for those of us who don’t just “flip the switch”, hey – we’re good! We’re better than good really. When it comes to Christmas or anything else, just do YOU, in whatever timeframe you see fit, and the hell with any expectations from anyone else.

Confession: I did put a wreath on the door to the cave last night. Given that it’s on the outside of the door, I only see it when coming and going, but I suppose my toe is officially dipped in the holiday waters.

Ok what the hell. Merry Christmas!