The Goose is Getting Fat

It has been a wonderfully, autumnly cool week in Utah, so I, being me, started getting excited for a perfectly seasonally appropriate holiday.

Christmas.

Okay, now you're laughing (maybe at me, or maybe at the pug) or screaming in rage. That's fine. I love Christmas. My love for Christmas and Christmas music doesn't diminish my love for the other holidays; somehow, I've perfected the ability to be equally excited for Halloween and Christmas at the exact same time. But come on, people. Look at this trailer!

It's a movie about Charles Dickens writing A Christmas Carol. How was I not supposed to get in the right mood with this?

Over the years, I've received a lot of criticism for starting to listen to Christmas music too early (I start in August or September, on Sundays and when I feel like it), and for enjoying the holiday before Thanksgiving has passed. Again, I love Thanksgiving, and I get just as excited for it as anyone else does. But I still find myself defending enjoying the holiday too early.

I could, and do, make reasonable arguments about how the music makes me feel loving toward others and inspires goodness and joy. I tell people I save certain songs and movies specifically for the season. But that takes too long.

Maybe you also are a Yuletide early celebrator. Here are some good, short responses for when people ask about it and you don't have time to debate.

Them: "Why are you listening to Christmas music? It's not even Halloween yet!"

You:

- Say nothing. Hand them a candy cane.
- Again, say nothing. Sprinkle tinsel on their head.
- "HO HO YOLO!"
- "I do what I want."
- "What do you have against peace on earth, good will toward men?"
- "Better not shout, better not cry about it."
- "Because gingerbread."
- "Are you still mad about the mistletoe incident?"
- "I used to be normal like you. Then I took a peppermint arrow to the knee."
- "Nah." (and walk away)
- "I like things before they're cool."
- "I tried to avoid it, but the visions of sugarplums are relentless."
- "To fulfill prophecy."

These could be adapted for other holidays and interests. Anyway, they're yours to use. Happy holidays!

Here are this week's debuts:

Middle Grade:
Emily Blejwas - Once You Know This (9/19)

Young Adult:
Axie Oh - Rebel Seoul (9/15)
McKelle George - Speak Easy, Speak Love (9/19)