with Professor Erin K.
Christmas, like all good things, is best enjoyed in moderation. By following a few simple rules you can ensure that your anticipation and appreciation of the Christmas Season is maximized. Please do not think that I am a Scrooge. Far from it. I am a true lover of all things Christmas. I just happen to see the folly of our society's tendency towards earlier and earlier Christmas-y-ness.
Let's begin.
Christmas Music
Recorded Christmas music may be listened to as of the 1st of December. For the days preceding Dec. 1 but following the beginning of Advent there is an opportunity to listen to music that is less Christmasy. (example: Loreena McKennit "To Drive the Cold Winter Away")
There are a few exceptions to this rule. If you are doing Christmas baking or working on homemade Christmas gifts prior to this you may listen to Christmas music, if it helps you get in the right mood.
If you are feeling desperate for Christmas music and Advent is still days or weeks away, try Christmas Music Substitution. For example, if you traditionally listen to Canadian Brass Christmas, try listening to another Canadian Brass album. Or if you prefer A Charlie Brown Christmas, try a Vince Guaraldi album. This really does work. Also, an album of madrigals stands in nicely for an album of carols.
Exterior Decoration
Set up exterior decorations as late as your autumn weather will permit, but you should not light exterior decorations until the first day of Advent.
Interior Decoration
Decorating for Christmas inside your house may begin as you see fit beginning on the first day of Advent. The Christmas tree should be erected later in the month, but not so late that you do not have time to enjoy it prior to Christmas Eve. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should the tree decorating happen in between answering the door for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween. (yes, the music man knows someone who does this)
Well, class, I think we have made a good beginning. I hope that you are able to fully Anticipate and Appreciate Christmas by following these rules. Class dismissed.
3 comments:
For reals!
And i probably wouldn't have done any of it today had it not been the first day of Advent. I ususally wait til it's dec to do the tree.
We usually wait until the first Sunday in December for the tree, but I just couldn't wait that long this year.
Alas, we've already failed the class before even reading the first lesson. Oops.
Hee hee heeeee.
Yes, we insist on waiting until the beginning of Advent, too, although I manage to sneak Christmas music in starting in.. uh.. mid-October. OTHER THAN THAT.
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