Tis' The Season?

Saturday marks the beginning of December, which in my mind means that Christmas is right around the corner. However, support for the over commercialization of Christmas has expanded so much that the "Christmas season" now starts the day after Halloween. That is when one of my favorite radio stations, Magic 106.3, started to play Christmas music this year. Not shortly after, did my work put up decorations. I'm sure malls and other stores were also quick to follow.

The Christmas season does seem to start earlier and earlier each year. Pretty soon "Christmas in July" will be when we start to celebrate for the real Christmas to come. (I kid, I kid...right?). I can't complain though. Christmas is definitely a great time. However, I wish I could personally make sure that lengthening the hoopla surrounding it doesn't take away from the real meaning.

It's not about spending the most money, or getting the most expensive gift(s) under the tree. My favorite thing about Christmas is spending time to pick out a gift that I think is perfect for someone else. It doesn't have to cost a lot, as long as you thought of the person when you saw it. I trust my gift-giving instincts. When I see the right gift, I just know. Even though it could be hit or miss, it's still so much fun to give someone something. I really think it's more important to find happiness in giving rather than receiving.

Other activities I would personally like to enjoy as I countdown the days to Christmas? It's pretty simple because I'm pretty simple. All I'm asking for is a trip to Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store and maybe a drive around town looking at the best Christmas lights. I want to spend time with friends and family, smell the fresh Christmas-tree smell as I walk into a house (or artificial disguise of a yankee candle for those with fake trees), and enjoy every minute of it...because even though the season keeps being extended by consumerism, it still always seems to go by too fast.