I celebrate Christmas, and I love it.

But, Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday (a take I understand is unpopular), but I always enjoyed the atmosphere of Christmas, especially in the weeks and days leading to it.

I used to think Christmas and Thanksgiving should never cross paths. Thanksgiving is the time of yellows and oranges, turkey, and family. Christmas is the time of greens and reds, coats and scarves, and music of old.

This year, I had a change of heart, however. Maybe my heart didn’t grow three sizes, but I found space for Christmas cheer before the Thanksgiving season finished.

The change began when I bought a jazzy Christmas CD from a thrift store. A quick and cheap purchase, I knew I needed to get into the Christmas spirit at some point.

But that night, listening to the CD, I realized that I felt really cheery.

I lit a candle and danced along (for the zero readers wondering, not well), and found myself just forgetting about the finals, problems, and worries I had.

Not a lot will take me out of a consistently anxious state like jazz, and especially a little Christmas jazz.

It’s important to note the holidays don’t bring the same cheer to everyone.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, a depression that happens to people as fall and winter begin, is real and prevalent, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Not only that, I’m understanding of anyone who has gone through a trauma or loss during the holiday season, and my heart goes out if that is you.

For me, I think the joy of the holiday season comes from the joy and nostalgia of childhood, as well as the atmosphere of the holidays.

It reminds me of a time when I didn’t have as many responsibilities, papers, jobs, and stress. I just felt happy.

Thinking of the holidays has also made me think about and miss my family.

I’m not far from home and I’m lucky to see my family semi-often while I’m at school. It’s the time I wasn’t away, and the moments I used to spend at home I miss.

Knowing I’m going to leave school and then leave home for good someday, it does bring a tear to the eye when I think of what I’ll lose.

As frustrating as family can be when I’m gone, I’ll miss the crazy of my siblings coming home with tales of woe from school. I’ll miss the time watching birds and old shows with my dad. I’ll miss the car rides and lazy days with my mom.

All this as a long-winded way of saying, I let Christmas cheer invade my life earlier because I don’t mind being a little blissfully nostalgic. I don’t mind the repetitive melodies of Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.

I don’t think letting in a little happiness into my life before Thanksgiving is all that bad.

Perhaps it’s the way I think about Christmas.

I definitely think it can be a lot, especially when buying gifts for so many people.

But to make this easier (and cheaper), secret Santas and white elephants can be fun ways to bring joy with less pressure. I’m under the impression that holidays shouldn’t bring much more stress than life already does.

Buying a couple of $2 holiday CDs at thrift stores and having a small gathering with friends also can’t hurt.

The point is the mindset. Perhaps Christmas music isn’t the thing that brings you joy. Maybe there are other ways to find some bliss.

This holiday season, I found that the Christmas environment makes me sing (literally and figuratively). Whether it’s before or after Thanksgiving seems irrelevant now.

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email opinion@gmail.com