The exact day after Halloween-Nov. 1, a Thursday – I went to Wal-Mart just to pick up a few basic necessities. However, I apparently mistook Wal-Mart’s automatic doors for the magic gates of Christmasland.

Getting barely a foot into the door, I was greeted by a giant Christmas bulb hanging 10 feet above my head, a Christmas tree nearly twice my height, and a small display of Christmas home décor. Somewhere between Halloween and Nov. 1, Christmas had gobbled up Thanksgiving.

Now, I’ll admit, I’ve never been a huge fan of Christmas. I’ve never understood people who own 20-plus Christmas CDs, featuring recordings of the same songs just sung by different artists. Nor have I ever understood the obsession with collecting Christmas bears. Honestly, how many combinations of teddy bears wearing red and green scarves can you collect before they all start to look the same? Evidently, a lot. As long as the bear has the current year sewn on it somewhere, Christmas collectors will think of the bear as a one-of-a-kind.

After being intoxicated by Christmas paraphernalia, I had a small glimmer of hope that maybe not every store was following Wal-Mart’s example. Unfortunately, it’s been in my experience that if a store doesn’t have Christmas décor, it will inevitably have Christmas music.

Sure enough, walking into the mall my eyes were absent Christmas propaganda, but my ears were telling a different story. The loud speakers overhead were telling me that it was Christmastime again, but I was confused. Since when is Christmas celebrated in November?

Now, while I might not understand the hype surrounding Christmas, I do however understand that Christmas is the most marketed, most anticipated holiday of the year. As a result, the Christmas season begins earlier and earlier every year.

All I ask is that everyone express a little patience during the holiday season. Making the Christmas season start earlier doesn’t help with the anticipation. If anything, it adds to the stress of the holiday season. It won’t be long before its Black Friday, or that you’re in a panic because you can’t think of what to buy Grandma Caroline this year for Christmas.

Instead, sit back and enjoy the holiday assigned for November-Thanksgiving. The only shopping required is at least edible, and you don’t have to worry that Grandma Caroline is going to realize that you bought her the same candle and candle holder two years in a row. And while not all Thanksgivings in every household is exactly a joyous occasion, just be thankful it doesn’t include annoying music.