Spooky season has officially come to an end. As Halloween settles into our rearview mirrors, it is time to gear up for the next major holiday – Thanksgiving. The fall celebration that consists of abundant feasts, family football and giving thanks is very popular among Americans.

Although Thanksgiving has yet to arrive, certain industries are going to try to fast-forward to the next money-making holiday – Christmas. Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays in our calendar year and yet it totally gets bulldozed by an early start to the holiday season.

One rule I have always tried to instill upon myself is that the Christmas season does not start until Santa Claus merrily ends the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I do not buy any Christmas gifts, start compiling a Christmas wish list or listen to any Christmas music until the parade is over!

That said, it is not that I do not want to listen to Christmas music – I do! There is simply no better feeling than jamming out to Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” or Aly & AJ’s “Greatest Time of Year.” However, I must stand in solidarity with Thanksgiving and resist the urge!

Usually, I am successful in my mission to avoid the carols but something odd happened a few weeks ago. I was lying in bed and just felt compelled to listen to Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree.” I could not tell you why I had this random impulse, but I could not shake the feeling. There was nothing else I wanted to listen to!

I turned on the song and next thing I knew, I was deep into a holiday playlist. Songs such as “Christmas Through Your Eyes” by Gloria Estefan, “Snow in California” by Ariana Grande and “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Whitney Houston were making a nest in my ears and I was enjoying it!

Since my brief disregard of my holiday music ban, I have not listened to any more Christmas music, but the incident did get me thinking – when is a reasonable time to start listening to holiday tunes? I spoke to a few of my friends and family members and the opinions were mixed.

A few people said that they enjoyed listening to Christmas music year-round, which is weird if you ask me. A few people said that they had similar opinions as me. They did not want to get caught up in the commercialism of the Christmas season and as such, do not want to listen to the music before December. Others said they were a mix of both.

Whether you save the Christmas tunes until the month of December or start blasting these tunes this minute, the thought brings up an important discussion about companies forcing the holiday season upon us. The sooner we start Christmas, the sooner companies can start cashing in.

This November, I encourage everyone to enjoy fall! There is so much to be thankful for and appreciate this time of year that we should not let it slip away by focusing too much on Christmas.