In previous years, I have been the first person to loudly denounce the retailer-driven tradition of starting Christmas ever earlier, to the point it’s crowding into the summer. I have even gone so far, at one time, to declare war upon Christmas. This year? Fuck it. Go hog wild.
Fire up Soul Christmas right now. Order some ornaments and novelty socks on your lunch break. Treat yourself to peppermint chocolate snacks, which exist only to be eaten during the month of December. Spend your Saturday night on the couch watching Love Actually while drinking Swiss Miss even if it’s still pushing 90 outside.
What got the staff of Jezebel onto the subject of the holidays was, unfortunately, Blake Shelton and his entirely too intimate promotion of Gwen Stefani’s newly released seasonal single. On the one hand, it’s too much, and also it feels too early for Christmas music. On the other, listening to the Christmas music we do like feels great right now. Is this what it feels like to feel happy? Who even knows anymore!
In fact, I personally have already been dipping into the well of seasonal good cheer to keep myself on an emotionally even keel. Just last week, I purchased my first Christmas decorations. This week, I have caught myself causally looking around to see if I can get a skirt or dress in a kooky pattern. (Maybe some kittens with wreaths?) Next payday, I am going to treat myself to a large pile of used Christmas Regency romances from the 1990s. By mid-October I will be combing through Ebay for grandma sweatshirts that are the right degree of kitschy.
It’s not like this has to exclude the other great fall activities. Of course you can still frolic in a pumpkin patch, or pick more apples than you can possibly use at an orchard. Just go ahead and grant yourself permission to loudly warble the lyrics to “All I Want for Christmas Is You” at any time you feel the urge. I just watched the video and I feel better and better!
Look, man—do whatever is going to get you through a day that requires calling your senators yet again about healthcare while being bombarded with Trump tweets and New York Times news alerts about North Korea. Wrap empty cardboard boxes in bright metallic paper covered in stylized snowflakes. Bake cookies and make your own egg nog. Deck the halls. Ring the bells. Whatever works!