I give up. Now that Voices West is over, now that the first snow has fallen, now that Fiona is into the thick of preparing for holiday performances, now that plane tickets are booked for the grown-up kids to get home, go ahead and start your Christmassing, girls. Put up a little tree and ornaments in the Nelson house. Make hot chocolate and listen to Christmas music while eating ginger snaps.  Make your baking list.

I’ve always held fast to advent, or at least December 1st, as the start date for the holiday celebrations, but this year I give up.