As soon as Halloween ends, Christmas begins — at least for a majority of Americans. Many are against this, as it means that Thanksgiving is forgotten as the next holiday to be celebrated. Yet every year, people begin to celebrate the joyous holiday earlier and earlier. So early, in fact, that many stores put out Christmas product as early as July. Yet there are many, such as myself, who do not mind beginning the celebration of Christmas early.

When I was a child, my grandmother’s favorite holiday was Christmas. Their house was always decorated beautifully and the food — oh the food was the best part! I always looked forward to her Christmas cookies every single year. From a young age, Christmas was always on my mind, and once Halloween was over, I knew that the holiday was literally right around the corner, and so would be the celebration at my grandparents’ house. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away in 2006, and a lot of those memories are what I cherish the most about my time with her.

That is why, when Halloween is over, I do not mind the Christmas music being on the radio early. I do not mind the stores decorating their front windows and placing all of the bulk product in the middle of the aisle. I do not mind the ads in my mailbox or the radio talking about various holiday sales. All of this means my memories with my grandmother will come flooding back. While others whine and complain, I smile and remember my grandmother placing out the Christmas cookies and me trying at least one of each that she placed on the tray.

Christmas, for me, is a time of joy and family. And while I work most Christmases, I still get a joy out of the holiday season. I love being able to share it with all those around me also. I feel beginning the celebration of Christmas a little earlier than normal allows time to share that joy and cheer with everyone much sooner. For those who can’t be with their families during the holidays, I find the chance to decorate earlier and have the availability to create that celebration for those people.

There is also the enjoyment of lengthening a season of joy for a longer period of time. With as much going on in our world, a little bit of joy and happiness is needed for our time. What better way than to have Christmas to help with that joy and happiness. After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year. There is something about Christmas that just makes everyone so much happier.

So remember, when you see a family decorating their house a little earlier or someone wants to listen to Christmas music in the car, maybe they are just excited and looking forward to a season of laughter and love. Not everyone has to celebrate Christmas earlier, but for those who do, they enjoy it like it is Christmas Day.