The radio station 99.9 KEZ started playing their Christmas music at least 10 days ago. The IHOP across the street from campus painted its windows with scenes of a wintry wonderland Friday morning. Eggnog has graced the shelves of grocery stores for weeks now.
And even though I probably stand alone, I can't deny it: I'm a Christmas addict. And I'm eager to welcome the holidays this year.
Most of my friends found out that Christmas music was playing on the radio at the beginning of November and made faces of annoyance. They complained that it's too early, that it's ridiculous to get in the holiday spirit before we celebrate Thanksgiving.
Soon you'll hear the annual decrying of the commercialization of the holidays from columnists, radio personalities or bloggers. After all, they'll say, it's only Nov. 14 and Christmas is on sale all around us.
Christmas movies are already playing in theaters: "The Santa Clause 3" debuted on Nov. 3.
The Arizona Republic ran an article Sunday on how to make your own Christmas cards.
And the hottest new toys are being strategically released as toy companies make an effort to spark a holiday shopping craze.
I can see that Christmas is being commercialized, but I don't understand why that should preclude me from enjoying the early holiday buzz.
The holiday season, for me, means that the air outside is cool, I can wear a sweatshirt in the evening and I'm in the home stretch of my classes for final papers, projects and exams.
Christmas for me means extra time to spend with family, to volunteer and to partake in goofy little traditions that make me happy - like decorating, baking or walking around to admire Christmas lights.
While I admit that I have had a holiday shopping list in the works for quite a while now, I don't think that makes me a sucker for commercialization.
Shopping for holiday gifts for my friends and family is an opportunity for me to find unique, personal gifts that will surprise or elate the ones I love. And it is an opportunity for me to share my blessings with less fortunate families through my church's holiday gift drive.
Some people also argue against starting "Christmas-ification" in early November because they worry that it takes away from Thanksgiving.
I would never want Thanksgiving to be glossed over. What would I do without my mom's scalloped corn and pumpkin pie?
But in my eyes, there is nothing wrong with celebrating Thanksgiving almost as if it were Christmas Lite. It has the same basic premise: a gathering of family and friends to partake in a feast of food and celebrate our history with national and local traditions.
We now know how inaccurate our historical record is regarding the first feast between the pilgrims and the American Indians, so that's not really the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving anymore.
It's more about family traditions and being thankful for your life and your loved ones.
And the long weekend for many families means the extra time they need to get their Christmas tree and lights up before they get too busy later on.
So what's wrong with putting out the lights while Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is playing on the radio, or with finishing off the pumpkin pie with a mug of eggnog?
I know I'll probably turn a few stomachs with my abundance of holiday cheer, but I can't be the only one who appreciates the early holiday buzz. The stores wouldn't be selling eggnog if no one was buying.
KEZ announced that they were playing their holiday music earlier only because their listeners had asked for it.
Maybe this year we need an early holiday anyway. I, for one, have had enough dirty politics and bad news for one year. It seems just the right time for a season of peace, forgiveness and renewal. So, please, won't you pass the candy canes?
Laura Thorson is a history and political science senior. Tell her whether you've been naughty or nice at: laura.thorson@cox.net.
