No, it is not time to put up Christmas lights

On Halloween evening, just as the sun was setting and I was getting ready to take the kids out for a little merrymaking and candy getting, I spied an unusual sight. I saw a man diligently working in his yard putting up Christmas decorations.

For years many people have skipped right over Thanksgiving, and just as soon as the jack o’ lantern is in the dumpster started decorating for Christmas, but never in my ever-increasingly longer life on this planet have I seen a skeletons and ghosts in one yard and old St. Nick in the next. Halloween has overtaken Christmas as far as decoration sales go, but it seems the two now just run together. Already, though we’re the better part of a week away from Thanksgiving, I’ve seen more houses lit up like, well, Christmas trees, than I think I ever have.  

Perhaps people are desperate for a little holiday cheer this year, but I’ll stick to being a Grinch, or a Mr. Scrooge if you will, until after my turkey has digested. Before long people will stop bothering to even take down Christmas decorations at all, and I mean in nice neighborhoods, not that cousin or brother-in-law in the trailer park with ever-present icicle lights on their singlewide. 

But it seems that I am in the minority when it comes to the timing of my Christmas decorating. In fact, there is a growing belief that there are significant benefits to being a light hanging go getter. Some research suggests that decking the halls early has tremendous mental health benefits for not only yourself but your neighbors. The twinkling lights ease worried minds as they think of the happier times generally associated with the holidays. 

Decorating early also saves time later, therefore clearing your holiday schedule for more time with loved ones. Also, if you decorate before Thanksgiving, there’s plenty of time to rest up for Black Friday. You have to be in tip top fighting condition to snag those deals on televisions and small kitchen appliances.

Do people still fight over sales or did the internet kill that too? As a young reporter I used to have to cover Black Friday at the Perimeter Mall, an upscale shopping center in Atlanta. I was always amazed at the throng of people in line in the dead of night and freezing cold for a chance to save a few dollars. I never saw a fist fight, but I did see a lady get trampled when they unlocked the doors of Best Buy. Christmas lights probably trigger PTSD for her.

Somewhere out there is a poor soul who fell off a ladder and shudders at the thought of hanging a wreath. His shoulder aches every time a chill wind blows reminding him of his trauma. Why do we insist on having someone at the bottom of a ladder to “hold it?” It’s just somebody to watch you fall. 

But I digress. The most wonderful time of the year is almost here, and if you want to get a head start don’t let me stop you.

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