Well, Halloween has officially come and gone, and we've already done what we always do the days following Halloween… pulling out the Christmas decorations. Yes, I know. Thanksgiving hasn't even happened yet and no, we don't care!
We just wrapped up Halloween celebrations with some of our favorite people, and honestly, it was such a good time. We had the best party surrounded by friends, laughter, and all the chaos that comes with getting everyone together. Those are the kinds of nights I genuinely look forward to. The ones where you can forget about everything else going on in life for a little while, enjoy the company around you, and just have fun.
But now that Halloween is behind us, Ryan and I have officially shifted gears.
The spooky decorations are coming down, the Christmas decorations are coming out, and we're settling into one of our favorite times of the year. And before anyone comes for me about decorating before Thanksgiving, hear me out.
Christmas has always been our favorite holiday. There's just something about the lights, the decorations, the music, and the overall feeling that comes with this time of year. Our house feels warmer, cozier, and somehow a little more peaceful when everything is decorated. Even when the kids are being loud, the dogs are running around, and there's a million things happening at once, it's still our little piece of happiness.
There's also another reason we decorate early, and it's one I think more people can relate to than they realize. Seasonal depression is real.
As the days get shorter, the temperatures drop, and the sun seems to disappear before we've even had a chance to enjoy the afternoon, my mood can take a hit. It's something I've become more aware of over the years, and while I can't necessarily control the changing seasons, I can control some of the things that make those darker months feel a little less heavy.
For us, that's Christmas.
It's turning on the tree lights in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up. It's sitting in the living room at night with nothing but the glow of Christmas lights. It's the excitement the kids have as the holiday gets closer. It's the familiar decorations we pull out year after year and the memories that come along with them.
It might sound silly to some people, but those little things genuinely make a difference and really, isn't that what life is about sometimes? Finding the small things that make you happy and leaning into them a little more?
Life doesn't suddenly become less busy just because the holidays are approaching. We still have work, school, kids' activities, responsibilities, appointments, and everything else that comes with being adults and parents. The laundry doesn't magically fold itself because there's a Christmas tree in the living room. Unfortunately, but there's something nice about coming home after a long day and walking into a house that feels festive and welcoming. I think that's what I appreciate most about this season.
Ryan and I have been enjoying slowing down a little after all the Halloween festivities. Not necessarily doing nothing, because let's be realistic, there's always something that needs to be done around here. But slowing down in the sense of enjoying being home, decorating together, and looking forward to the weeks ahead.
We're already gearing up for Christmas, thinking about everything that comes along with it, and trying to soak up the excitement instead of rushing through it, and while I know the holidays can bring their own stress, I really want to make a conscious effort to enjoy them this year. Not every moment needs to be perfectly planned. Not every decoration needs to be in the perfect spot. And not every holiday memory needs to be some elaborate event. Sometimes it's just being home together, laughing about something ridiculous, watching a Christmas movie we've already seen a hundred times, or enjoying a quiet evening after the kids have settled down. Those are the moments I tend to love the most anyway.
So yes, it's the beginning of November, and we're already decorating for Christmas. Thanksgiving will still be celebrated. We'll still enjoy the food, the family time, and everything that comes with it. Having a Christmas tree up doesn't somehow cancel out being thankful. If anything, this time of year reminds me how much I have to be thankful for. A home full of people I love, a husband who enjoys this season just as much as I do, friends who make life fun, and the opportunity to create memories with our family.
Life isn't perfect, and there are certainly days when things feel heavier than others. But right now, I'm choosing to enjoy this little transition from spooky season to Christmas season because sometimes happiness really is as simple as plugging in the Christmas tree a few weeks early.
And if that makes the darker months feel a little brighter, I'm all for it.
