Hang on, Santa: It’s Still Fall, Y’all!

You’ve taken down the jack-o-lanterns, snuck more than your share of the kid’s Halloween candy, and finally started unpacking those fall sweaters. Ah, yes…it’s November! The heart of fall y’all. A month full of family time and Thanksgiving before the winter holiday craziness begins. A time to pause ahead of all the shopping lists and party invites. This is the sweet spot before we begin to lose sight of what the holidays are all about. Right?

Or, is it?

Have you been inside of Target…or Hobby Lobby…or even Kroger, lately?

Please understand, I absolutely love the winter holiday season. I can’t wait for all the holly-jolly magic heading our way. To the #Christmaspeople who were tempted to get your Mariah Carey on while carving Halloween pumpkins, I feel you. With Buddy and Clark just within reach, it makes sense that you’d want to get there as fast as possible. Come Black Friday, I’m going to be right there, too – peppermint mocha in hand – and tuned into Hallmark all month long.

But, hang on, Santa: it’s still fall y’all!

When I was a kid, November always got its fair due. Halloween was October’s. December belonged to Christmas and Hanukkah. And, November – it was fall at its finest. This was the only month of the year packed with 30 days of crisp air, changing leaves, turkeys, and pumpkin pies. It did not include Santa staring me down from the depths of evergreen and holly on aisle 10.

But, nowadays, I have to inexplicably make my way through Christmas lights and stocking hangers to find Halloween candy for my trick-or-treaters. Last year, I had friends bringing me fall candles when I couldn’t find a single one on store shelves in mid-October. Thank goodness for good people who think ahead…and shop over summer break.

Have you ever considered everything that makes us crazy during the month of December is completely absent in November? No parties, no planning, no elf, no gifting, no running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Just jeans, and blankets, and firepits, and football. And, I am saying this in a world where people can’t line up fast enough to commemorate the end of summer with pumpkin spice lattes in hand.

Oh, the irony during this lost and forgotten month of hayrides and turtlenecks.

Come on now.

While every retailer in town may be rushing “the most wonderful time of the year,” we’re missing out, friends. The fun-sized version is staring us in the face, just waiting for us to enjoy. There is something to be said about riding the no-stress express for as long as we can, with no obligations except bundling up and feeling grateful all month long. 

Yep, Rudolph, this means you’re going to have to get in the back of the line, buddy. I’m sorry, but I’ve still got a turkey to cook and thanks to give. You just need to let me be for a while…in my cozy shades of orange and brown.

Until November is in the rearview mirror, you can bet I’m going to keep saying it:

HAPPY FALL, Y’ALL!