I listened to my fall playlist while writing this, and then immediately started to make my Christmas one.

Christmas and fall aren’t mutually exclusive, and I’m tired of people pretending they are. Being the extremely indecisive person I am, I’ve become increasingly annoyed whenever a new person asks me about my opinions on when the “beginning” of the Christmas season actually is.

Over the years, I’ve tried too many times to have an opinion on the topic, but I just can’t bring myself to decide between the two. 

Despite the beauty of growth in the spring and the comforting warmth of the summer, fall is inarguably my favorite season. However, there is one time of the year that makes my opinion waver slightly even though it’s not technically its own season: the Christmas season. 

Given the fact that fall is by far my favorite season, but Christmas is such a close contender, the month of November tends to make my indecisiveness flare up. After years of trying to fit the month into a box, trying to decide if it’s a Christmas month or a fall month, I decided to embrace the ambiguity instead.

As I write this, I’m listening to my fall playlist. The one that I made two-and-a-half months ago in preparation and excitement for the beginning of the fall season. Last night, when I was debating on what to eat for dinner, I was listening to Christmas music on The Star 105.7. 

Both times, the music perfectly fit the vibe of the moment and the emotions that I was feeling, and both times, I have been in the spirit of the season that the music was made for. Just because I listened to Christmas music last night does not mean that fall is over, and I can’t stand it when people make me choose between the two.

My strongest opinion on the topic is that once December hits, it’s Christmas time and Christmas time only. Post-Thanksgiving to New Year is entirely dedicated to the Christmas season, but I don’t want to cut my favorite season short just because I feel like I need to decide between the two.

I love Christmas, and I love fall. Arguing about and trying to create borders around when certain seasons and forms of celebration can begin and end entirely destroys the whole point of having a favorite season or holiday.

I’m not trying to discount anyone’s opinion; it’s okay to strongly believe that Christmas doesn’t start until Thanksgiving is over or to believe fall ends with the Starbucks menu, and everyone is allowed to celebrate whatever season they want.

What I have a problem with is when people begin to act like one season can’t exist at the same time as the other. Thanksgiving is a holiday that deserves to be celebrated, even if it’s in the middle of your Christmas season, and fall doesn’t need to end the second Halloween is over.  

Fall and Christmas are my favorite times of the year, and I’m done trying to be completely done with fall just because I want to listen to Christmas music.