As the holiday season approaches, we are all ready to begin the festivities. The only question is… how soon? Personally, I believe that all things Christmas start after Thanksgiving, but my neighbors, Julia and Don, beg to differ. With boughs of holly already decking out their halls three days after Halloween, they ring in the spirit of Christmas earlier than anyone else. My neighbor Julia says, “It’s bringing me joy, and that makes it so worth it.” For her, it’s not a matter of hating Halloween, but instead just loving Christmas. So, should we start decorating too?

According to the internet, Mariah Carey has been in the process of defrosting since September, but how will we know when “its tiiimee”? With a plethora of Santa blowups and inflatable reindeer, my neighbor Don says there’s no better time than the present. He and his wife Colleen have been passionate about decorating since they were children and want to continue this tradition as long as they can. Among the early decorators, there are two houses on a different street that famously have a face-off each year for the best front yard. Last December, they covered the entirety of their roofs with LED strands and silhouettes of Saint Nicholas going down the chimney.

If it’s too early for decorating for you, but you still want some holiday cheer in your corner, my family has a tradition where we make hot chocolate and go on “light drives.” All you need is a cozy beverage, some blankets and a car to drive around and look at your local Christmas lights and decorations. It’s a perfect way to unwind and look at some inspo for your own front yard!