Thanksgiving is not really my favorite holiday--I despise turkey, false vacations, and how terribly we treat(ed) the Native Americans. But this holiday goes beyond my internal dismay, it is a celebration of gratitude and family. Unfortunately, the shopping industry has begun to overshadow this one day and advertises Christmas over it. I may not like either holiday, but I respect that they each have a time period in which they should be celebrated.

So, why should you not celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving?

1. You live in the United States, not another country.

If you live in any other country besides the U.S., you can celebrate Christmas whenever you want (as long as you do not skip over holidays). But this is 'Merica, so we celebrate Thanksgiving.

2. That Christmas tree could die prematurely.

Get that tree before Thanksgiving? Probably won't last that long. The best time to buy a tree is about two weeks after Thanksgiving.

3. Because it is still fall from September until December 20th.

Thanksgiving is during fall. Christmas is during winter. So.. perhaps we start celebrating Christmas after December 20th?

4. The good sales do not even start until Thanksgiving is over.

Three words. Black. Friday. Shopping. Those presents are so much cheaper.

5. Christmas is not even the only holiday during this season.

Wow, you celebrate Christmas, but there are so many other holidays during December as well, like Hanukkah, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, St. Nicholas Day, St. Lucia Day, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Omisoka, Yule, Saturnalia, and many others.

6. 25 Days of Christmas does not start until December 1st.

Those really annoying Christmas movies that play over and over, the same ones every year, do not even start until a few days after Thanksgiving.

7. Hearing those same seven Christmas songs over and over becomes annoying.

How many ways can you recreate the same song before you run out of versions? All I want for Christmas is to actually celebrate Thanksgiving.

8. Live in the present.

Cherish the time you have now. Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what you have. So live in the moment with the people who mean the most to you!

9. This huge parade.

There is this huge parade that everyone can watch on T.V. for Thanksgiving. I mean, who does not want to watch the Cookie Monster and Elmo?