Christmas coming later than usual?

Usually, I am obsessed with Christmas at this time of year. I would probably lie to you if you asked me directly, but I usually have started listening to Christmas music by mid-October and have already given Mr. Kruger's Christmas at least one viewing. And probably Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, and It's a Wonderful Life (to name a few of my favorites). I love Christmas and that love starts early.

First, I want to say that I am not ashamed. I have reasons and they are justified.

My Christmas season starts earlier than others for several reasons. Another top six list for you:

6. Recently, my family has celebrated Christmas at Thanksgiving. We do this every other year because we can only all get together for Christmas every other year. Therefore, Christmas lists are sent around and I have to start Christmas shopping now. This year is one of those years.

5. I was in Madrigals when I was in High School. We started practicing Christmas songs in September. Therefore, I got used to thinking about Christmas in September.

I love pictures like this at this time of year.

4. I like to take a long time thinking about what I am going to get people for Christmas. I haven't been as good at this as I used to be, but still, the habit was formed of starting to think about Christmas early.

3. Christmas is a time where you can be really really cheesy and no one calls you on it. In fact, people praise you for it. For example, the song about the Christmas shoes; (I'm gonna buy these shoes, 'Cuz they are just her shoes.... you know what song I am talking about?) that song is ridiculous. But people love it and some even know all the words. Why? Because it is connected with Christmas and really really cliche.

2. I love how friendly everyone is around Christmas. I worked in a Mormon bookstore on Saturdays in high school. There was this one Saturday in November where the store was packed and everyone was shopping for Christmas. Christmas songs were playing in the background. People were singing along and talking to each other in line. Laughter filled the air... or rather, the jam-packed store.

If it was not Christmas, do you think those people would have been happy waiting in line for 20 minutes? No. I distinctly remember thinking, this is why I love Christmas

1. I love how I think about Christ and giving all the time around Christmas. Seriously. It is so wonderful. Therefore, I wonder why should I not expand the time that I spend thinking about those good and praiseworthy things?

But this year, I realized there is an even bigger reason than all of those. The cold weather and snow. They are the real reasons I start celebrating Christmas.

This year in Utah, the fall has been amazing. It has been warm and it has lasted longer than any other fall. And I have felt almost no desire to listen to some Bing Crosby's or Mariah Carey's Christmas albums.

I don't like the cold or the snow. But Christmas makes my dislike go away and makes them okay. Therefore, no snow/cold and I lose my obsession.

It's both relieving and sad that my obsession with Christmas is really just a way to make it through the weather. But, the truth has been revealed.

That being said, I am seriously considering watching Home Alone.