Is It Too Soon for Anything Involving Christmas in Northern New England?

It's that time of year where the debate begins. And, actually, the debate has already been on for a couple of weeks now.

Is It Too Soon to Start Embracing Christmas?

Aligned with the belief that Christmas has become nothing but commercialized and most people have lost or forgotten the meaning and/or spirit of Christmas, larger chain retail stores have had some sort of Christmas display out since the end of September -- be it artificial trees for purchase, decorations, ornaments, or all of the above.

And while that's somewhat expected every single year due to what could be labeled as corporate greed and just trying to cash in on as much money as possible, the question still remains for every day people -- is it truly too soon to embrace Christmas?

For some, the answer is no -- such a hard "no" that as soon as the final piece of candy is given out at their household on Halloween, they shut the door, turn off their outside light to end their own Halloween, and start digging out their Christmas decorations immediately.

Author's Note: As a matter of fact, a family friend decided to put their tree up before Halloween.

And, as recently stated by a woman named Caitlin from Portland, Maine, studies show that people who start putting up their Christmas decorations on November 1 are all-around happier, more joyful people.

For others, the answer is an adamant "yes" -- a very loud, very adamant feeling that it is too soon. And while wanting to embrace the joy, happiness, and cheer that is (hopefully) associated with Christmas is understandable, so is not wanting to rush through time and having the belief of "let us get to Thanksgiving, first."

So, what actually is the answer to the question, "Is it too soon for anything involving Christmas?"

It's a different answer for different people. Some people may walk through Monument Square in Portland, Maine, and see lights strung up on the now-bare trees seen popping out from the brick walkways, or, as this author experienced this morning, see brief flurries while driving south on 295 in the Falmouth/Portland area, take a deep breath and think, "Let's go!"

Others may want to get through their turkey, taters, and pie first, before they turn the page and get ready to hang their lights, put up their trees, and dig out their Menorahs (hey, we're all inclusive here), and that's okay, too.