I’m becoming a whole new person in my golden years. Truly. I used to be that person — the one who huffed, sighed dramatically, and rolled their eyes so hard they practically did a full rotation whenever someone put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. And honestly? I’m sorry for being that Grinchy. I retired that attitude a couple of years ago, but let me say it loudly for the people in the back:

Go. Ahead. And. Decorate.

I’ve said it before, but since things don’t seem to be getting better — Have you seen the world lately? Mortgage rates are still orbiting the moon, rent is… questionable at best, and the economy? Well, if you’re a “Christmas Vacation” fan, let’s just say: “It’s full.”

We’re dealing with all the worst the world has to offer. Genocide, poverty, rising homelessness, a good portion of the population being a paycheck or two away from homelessness. People are still waiting on SNAP benefits and back pay from a government shutdown that never should’ve happened in the first place.

So seriously — go ahead and decorate.

I’m done with “rules.” The calendar? Meaningless. Time? A construct. Tradition? Optional. If the world wants to be chaotic, you might as well make your own rules too.

If you want to put up your tree, sing carols at full volume, and proudly plant a 7-foot inflatable reindeer in the front yard so big it blocks one lane of traffic — do it.

We could all use a little extra happiness right now, and if putting up Christmas decorations in November (or, listen, even October — I’m not judging anymore) makes your heart even a tiny bit lighter, then that’s exactly what you should do.

So, again, for the folks who skim:

Go ahead and decorate.

Bake Christmas cookies. Watch all the Hallmark movies — yes, even the ones with the exact same plot but different small towns. Turn your home into Santa’s actual workshop. Get yourself an Advent calendar for November AND December. You know what? Grab a January one while you’re at it to soften the blow of that cold, cruel month.

Life is too short not to sprinkle a little glitter on it wherever you can.

Now go make merry — early, often, and unapologetically.

If you need a little help to get started, check out this cute little craft from easypeasyandfun.com. I mean I guess, technically it’s for kids, and you can of course to it with the littles, but you could also get together with a couple of friends and a bottle of wine and have a little Christmas cheer!

Paper Ball Reindeer Craft

Supplies:
– light brown construction paper
– dark brown construction paper
– scissors
– optional paper trimmer
– glue
– wiggle eye stickers or googly eyes. Alternatively, you can also draw your own.
– red pom pom or red construction paper
– Glitter glue for some magic is always welcome.

Step by Step Tutorial

Cut 4 paper strips. We cut outs across the width of an A4/letter-sized paper. Ours were about a “finger” wide.

There are no rules as to how long or how wide the paper strips need to be – if your paper strips are longer, you might need to use more than 4 paper strips to make a nice, full ball shape. So, adjust the project as you go.

Younger kids can cut wider paper strips, while older ones can cut thinner paper strips and use more of them.

Gently bend them in half, the fold marking the middle of the paper strips.

Apply a small amount of glue on the middle of the paper strip.

Place another paper strip on top of the first one, centered and at a 90-degree angle.

Glue on the other two, evenly spaced.

If you have more strips, add more, trying to have them as evenly spaced as possible.

Next, take one end of one paper strip and apply glue to it.

Take the other end of the same paper strip and glue it together with the first end, making a circle loop.

Continue with all other paper strips until you have a nice-looking paper ball.

Cut antlers out of darker construction paper.

Fold them at the bottom end (L shape) and apply glue.

Stick them on the top of the paper ball.

Take a pom pom, add glue, and press it onto the paper ball.

Add two wiggle eye stickers or googly eyes.

All done! Your Paper Ball Reindeer Craft is complete!

To take this Paper Ball Reindeer Craft even further, why not make a dozen and string them on a thread, making the most wonderful reindeer garland?