it's beginning to look a lot like christmas
In recent years I've gone back and forth on my stance of Christmas before Thanksgiving. Some years, it's a BIG no. Other years I can find it in my heart to love both holidays at the same time.
This year's current theory of beginning to embrace Christmas on Halloween has allowed me to really savor the turning of the seasons and gradually introduce Christmas in my daily life.
A few days ago I switched out our classical music Pandora station in our classroom ever so subtly with an instrumental Christmas station. It only took my students a few minutes to note the change. I'd like to thank the Christmas music for our new sense of productivity in Room 400.
My own productivity level has skyrocketed with the blasting of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Extraordinaire & a childhood favorite, The Muppet Christmas Carol, in my classroom after school.
Decorations have slowly been introduced in my home. Last Saturday boxes were unloaded in my living room but I just couldn't bring myself to decorate when the temperature was a balmy 70.
But this week all that changed when our local temps plummeted to the 20s. So boxes were opened and decorations have begun to slowly invade my living room.
It's November 15 and I feel no rush to be in any holiday mood. Christmas lists have begun to form but I am looking fondly toward my plate of turkey to be seen in less than two weeks.
The holiday season isn't about a timeline or dates on a calendar. It is about (beware of the cheese) being present with the people around you and remembering the reasons we gather together.
And I won't complain about it giving us an extra dose of productivity.