So Halloween has just ended. Normally, I am all for pumpkins and witches and ghosts and the one time of year when it is socially acceptable for complete strangers to offer candy to small children. But for some reason, I had a hard time getting in the Halloween mood. And I think I know why: my mind is already on Christmas.

I know, I know. I have always shaken my head at those people who put their lights up in October and have “Baby, it’s Cold Outside” blasting by November, when it’s still basically in the 90s. I have always said, the first day that it is acceptable for Christmas lights to be up is the day after Thanksgiving.

I think part of the reason I have always frowned upon this early Christmas-ing is because I don’t think it is fair to Halloween and Thanksgiving. Yes, I realize that they are holidays, and don’t actually have emotions, but I can’t help but feel like they are getting ripped off a little bit.

As my friends and I grow out of an age where trick-or-treating is no longer the norm (I’m not saying I am not still going trick-or-treating, just that most people don’t), Halloween becomes less of a fun, get-free-candy holiday and more of a contest of who can wear the least clothing and still vaguely resemble a flight attendant (pause for shameless Red Ledger propaganda: for more commentary on Halloween costumes, go check out Sam McCorcle’s latest column). And maybe I just haven’t been paying attention, but I feel like there has been less hype over the scary holiday as in years past. Maybe that is just because I don’t really have time to check out the black and orange corner of the grocery store, but I think it also has something to do with the preparations already beginning for Christmas.

And if Halloween is being skimmed over by avid fans of Jesus’ birth and gift-giving, poor Thanksgiving just has no chance at all. I realize stopping to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives isn’t as fun as getting presents and playing in snow and watching Elf, but to me, Thanksgiving is the most underrated and yet important holiday of all. Especially in the affluent area we live in, we all have so much to be thankful for that we take for granted every day, and the one reminder we have to stop and recognize how very blessed we are, we sometimes skip altogether in anticipation for the Christmas season.

If you’re reading this, you may be a bit confused that my rant about underappreciated holidays came right after my confession that I am excited for Christmas. Well I may be an advocate for the overlooked holidays, but I’m not going to lie to you guys: I got Christmas fever early this year.

I blame this partly on my youth praise band, which I play piano for. We have been practicing for our Christmas concert, and I can’t help it: I want snow and hot chocolate and two weeks off from school and pretty Christmas lights and caroling and did I mention two weeks off from school?

I have been wrestling with my conversion from an anti-earlyChristmasite to a supporter, and while I still feel a little guilty at my lack of Halloween preparation, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a compromise. I can still be excited for Christmas and pay Thanksgiving the respect it deserves. I just can’t let my excitement for one overshadow the other.

Another thing I have learned from my preemptive Christmas frenzy is not to judge those who have always celebrated Christmas from October to December. For some reason, the prospect of getting lots of presents and spending time with your family that you don’t get to see very often just puts people in a good mood. I guess I can understand that.

So go ahead and put up your turkeys and cornucopias, I will be too, but I’ll be humming Christmas music the whole time.