We’ve reached the time of year when barely a week after Halloween is past the entire country begins to make the shift towards Christmas, which for myself is fantastic because Christmas is my favorite holiday. However, many people have expressed to me how agitated they are because of the earliness of the preparations for the holiday, with all of the decoration displays and some radio channels playing back-to-back Christmas music, and wonder how is it possible for me to have Christmas spirit when Thanksgiving isn’t even for three more weeks. So for those people, here are five reasons on how I am already celebrating Christmas and why you should as well:

1.) Random Acts of Kindness

While I don’t give out presents like Oprah, I love giving my friends and family something special every now and then, whether it’s some small trinket or even helping them with tasks if they’re super busy. More than gifts and presents though, Christmas is about helping people without expecting anything in return, something that can be done more than just during this season.

2.) Spending Time with Friends and Family

Let’s be honest, Thanksgiving is exactly like Christmas but with less gifts and more turkey. Just because someone switched the color palettes up doesn’t mean you can’t spend time with family and talk about what you’re grateful for during both holidays. Plus, there’s many other chances to spend time with loved ones that can be just as special and meaningful as the big holidays.

3.) Listening to Christmas Music

Christmas music is some of the best there is and can always make any day better. One of my favorite things to do is listen to Christmas music while drinking hot chocolate and doing homework in the library, which doesn’t sound fun but honestly should be listed as the 8^th Wonder of the World.

4.) Christmas Present List

Not only have I already begun to write my own Christmas list (it’s mostly books of course), but I’ve began to plan what I’m going to get for other people and have already gotten some of the gifts, taking advantage of really good sales when I can find them.

5.) Spreading the Christmas Spirit

Happiness is contagious, and if everyone is cheerful who cares if some Christmas spirit is spread as well. It’s the most wonderful time of the year and I’m just too excited to wait any longer.