Things I Tell My Wife, by Matt Knutson

“Christmas comes after Thanksgiving,” I reminded my wife as she once again began plotting to put up our artificial Christmas tree. “You can’t rush Christmas.”

Retailers seem to be on Sera’s side. The decorations have long been available to purchase at this point, and I’ve even heard a holiday song or two while shopping. The Halloween packaged candy is now deeply discounted while the exact same candy decorated in red and green is full price. The Christmas season is being thrust upon us once again.

As I hold out on putting up the tree, my wife hums Christmas music under her breath and starts scheming decoration plans. I’m sure our railing will soon be covered in garland and lights, but up to now I’ve had success in thwarting her plans.

In the Knutson household, Christmas decorations always went up after Thanksgiving. Sometimes it was a mere hour after the meal, but we always ensured there was a clear signal between the two holidays. After all, they serve different purposes. To quote Ecclesiastes, “There’s a season for everything.” To quote my wife, “Jesus beats the big fat bird!”

I’m guessing this friendly hostility comes from her background of growing up 1. in countries that don’t celebrate Thanksgiving and 2. as part of a missionary family.

Sera shares memories (that I haven’t yet verified the accuracy of) where her family would have their Christmas tree up at the end of October. It’s hard to believe, so we’ll see what her family members say when I do visit this Christmas.

Considering she rarely lived in countries where there was even snow, I’m heavily doubting the validity to any Christmas decorations claims she makes. It’s hard for me to believe that any person should take the lead in holiday decorations (and the timing of them) when they don’t come from a background of a white, snowy Christmas.

Certainly this qualifier would remove far too much of the population from the vast holiday decoration committees throughout the world, so I would never propose moving it forward.

In fact, it’s making me question just what Christmas looks like around the world. Does everyone at least the appreciate the concept of having snow on the ground for Christmas? Do they embrace red and green as the colors of the season? Do any of the decorations even matter?

The answer to that last question is most certainly a “Yes!” if you are my wife. Ever since the fiasco with our free Craigslist filled-with-dead-mice-tree and the subsequent gift from a friend of a legitimate artificial tree, Sera’s been plotting to put it up.

Thanksgiving is already threatened by Black Friday shopping, why must we try to eliminate it all together by decorating for Christmas so early? Sometimes we need to live in the moments we’re provided, and Thanksgiving should be one of those moments. Whether you’re with family, friends, out shopping, or spending time alone this Thanksgiving, I hope you’re able to live in that moment and recognize this time of thankfulness.

Because Sera wants to put up the tree so early, I feared her vision for how late after Christmas she intends on keeping it up. “As late as March,” she said (seriously) when I asked, “Definitely after New Year’s.” She clearly thrives on shaking me straight to the core. At least the red decorations will still look good for Valentine’s Day.

With less than a week to go and no decorations up, I’m almost ready to declare a victory on holding off Christmas. On Thursday when we’re gathered at my parent’s house and have a moment to ourselves to realize the many blessings we have, my victory to keeping Christmas at bay until Thanksgiving has passed will certainly be on the list. And Sera’s list will certainly include the decoration joy that comes with the conclusion of Thanksgiving.

Sure, Jesus may beat the big fat bird, but they’re both providing us something to be thankful for this season.

Rochester resident Matt Knutson is the communications and events director for United Way of Olmsted County.