'Tis the Season...?

Lots of folks bemoan the early arrival of the "official" holiday season each year.  I have a feeling a lot of that is based on the fact that we take our holiday cues largely from commercial entities...which, yeah, are often worth bemoaning.  I dislike the way Thanksgiving has largely become a countdown to great deals.  (And I dislike the way my attempts to ignore that aspect of it mean that I'm probably missing out on great deals.)

However...I do love me some holiday cheer and holiday traditions...and it's never too early for those, right?  Laura and I spent our Thanksgiving evening decorating for Christmas...up went the (artificial) tree, the stockings for all of the four-legged Linnemans, the garland over every window and picture frame, and the ridiculous lights on the front of the house.

And...that most sacred of Linneman holiday traditions...the playing of The Nightmare Before Christmas!  If I ever need to be reminded to just smile and enjoy the simple magic to be found this time of year...there's this...!