Every year it seems that the Christmas season is beginning earlier and earlier. This year was especially noticeable. Weeks before Halloween, I noticed several holiday commercials on major networks, all of them pushing for people to begin their Christmas shopping. I was astonished. Why can't we take it one holiday at a time?

For years, Thanksgiving has been overshadowed by Christmas. Many argue that the whole reason for Thanksgiving is commercialism; that it's just an official date to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Over the years, the beginning of the Christmas shopping season has drifted earlier and earlier into the year. It has finally claimed Halloween.

Halloween by itself is often viewed as a commercial holiday. This year, Halloween advertisements were out by the middle of August, with my local Spirit of Halloween store opening on August 22, a full week or more earlier than usual. Halloween ended before it even started. By the second week of October, it seemed as if everyone had already forgotten about Halloween. Christmas decorations were out in local stores, with the Halloween decorations, costumes, and candy confined to a small sections of stores. I began to question myself. What month is it? Did I go to sleep one night and not wake up for a few weeks? I don't understand.

Don't get me wrong... I love Christmas. This is one of the reasons for my concern. If Halloween and Thanksgiving are rushed, I can only assume Christmas will be rushed as well. I fear that by the time I am off for Winter Break, every Christmas commercial, decoration, and item will be gone.

It may seem silly to be so concerned with the commercial aspects of these holidays. As an individual, I can celebrate these holidays whenever I want. Why do I care?

The commercial aspects of our society influence us, whether we want them to or not. Seeing the commercials and items in store fill me, and many others, with holiday spirit. It's very sad to say, but it's the truth. I can only hope that either these large businesses can stop rushing the holidays, or that I will stop allowing their practices to affect me. I hope that I can tale a step back from all the chaos of society, and enjoy and celebrate the true reasons for these holidays.