It’s December, guys! That means one thing — and consequently so many other things — Christmas! (If I could replace the rest of this article with exclamation points and still have it be readable, I totally would.)

Christmas (!) is miraculous in and of itself, but what makes it the Most Wonderful Time of the Year actually happens before December 25. Yup, I’m talking about those high-spirited weeks of anticipation, when all five senses come alive and inundate you with joy. (Did that sound aggressive? I was going for powerful.)

At any rate — here’s a sensual ode to those lovely pre-Christmas weeks.

The Sights

Forest green and crimson; silver, gold, and garland; twinkling lights that mimic the stars; houses all decorated, stockings on staircases; snowmen standing beside wreathed streetlights; overcoats flapping in windblown streets; cards in the mail and sweaters for sale; bare trees against blue-gray backgrounds; and maybe, possibly, hopefully… snow.

The Sounds

Children, people, laughing; fireplace crackling; humming along to the radio station; tiny bells tinkling, bigger bells ringing; ornaments clinking; carolers, you, and the whole world singing; piano fingers coming to life; and the lullaby stillness of a silent night.

The Scents

Cinnamon, nutmeg, peppermint, chocolate; the fir tree filling the living room; frosty, frozen air breathing right through your coat and into your lungs; pinecones falling; sugar on top; home, and home, and home.

The Tastes

Snickerdoodles and peppermint bark; snowflakes on your tongue for a moment; gingerbread, eggnog, and peppermint sticks; chocolate behind the countdown calendar; hot cocoa; the home-cooked meals that you missed.

The Feels

Cold winds on soft faces; tiny flakes that melt on warm fingertips; shivers outside that you don’t really mind; mistletoe thoughts and long-awaited embraces; old fraying sweaters with cozy little holes; scarves and mittens and hats and gloves; soothing liquids in scalding mugs; being together.

Who cares if it’s been said many times, many ways — Christmas is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, period.

(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)