What is the PRIME date to put up Christmas decorations?

The quick answer for us Grinchy husbands is whenever the wife wants them up. Yes, dear goes a long way. Even though I know this, every year, I seem to protest when we begin the ol' decoration sensation. By protest, I mean I smile less, and maybe even utter a "Humbug" or two. Normally, we begin the day after Thanksgiving. Of course, I ache and whine because I'm still full to the gills with turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes (Can't we let that meal digest a little longer? Like until Dec 24th?). All I want to do that day is nap until I get hungry again. A pretty good plan in my mind.

Black Friday should ONLY include shoveling an unhealthy abundance of food into my mouth before it rots in the refrigerator. However, it's usually comprised of shuffling totes around, rifling through boxes of well-loved decorations, and ME climbing on the roof (Sometimes risking life and limb for shiny lights). Where in years past, I have been lovingly called Griswald by my neighbors. Thankfully it's just a nickname and not a full blow resemblance. No falling off the roof for me. Santa would have to bring me a full body cast that year. Let's not involve the insurance companies during the holidays, please and thank you.

Don't you worry, I have polled other members of my family about the above question to gain perspective. Not surprising at all, I am in the minority. My oldest son enjoys the current system of the post Turkey Day decor bonanza, as long as he doesn't have to climb a ladder. My wife, youngest son, mother, and sister all agree that life would be better with MORE Christmas all the time. My brother stands in the moderate lane of the X-mas decoration politics. Yet for some unknowable reason, I firmly stand in the less is more camp. Less Christmas decorating means more relaxing. Not at all would be great! But if I had to choose, Dec 1 seems acceptable. I really don't want to put up SO many somethings just to take them down again in darker, wetter, and let's be honest frostier climate at the beginning of the New Year. Yuck. And apparently, "Bah Humbug".

I have been branded the Grinch of my household. Which honestly doesn't bother me. I love the character and most of the movies. The Original and Jim Carey's versions are the best. I believe it just stems from my philosophy of everything in moderation. If we only give Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, Fourth of July, New Years' Day, and all the other holidays a brief time to shine, then let's do the same with Christmas. Less decorations, less time thinking about it, and less money spent overall. Can we also all agree that big box stores put out their decorations WAY TOO SOON?

Wow, reading this, I do feel a bit like a Christmas fuddy duddy. A true-blue Scrooge. But in all honesty, I don't hate the jolly holiday or the decorations. In fact, they are quite pleasant to admire. I just want the primary focus to be spending time together and not spending money on things we don't NEED. I NEED more time with the ones I love. Not more knick-knacks. I NEED more time to create memories with family. So, I guess, if putting up twinkle lights, cute little snowmen, and other various festive effigies make my family happy then I will do my best Santa Clause impression and try to find the joy in the annual tradition of putting up Christmas decorations on Black Friday.

Merry Christmas everyone!