Yellow and red leaves dance across the pavement in the crisp autumn air. As the rest of the world is creeping into fall, I’m jumping into the most wonderful time of the year.

The witches, ghouls and ghosts come out, but my evergreen trees go up. People frantically search for adequate Halloween costumes while I shop for ornaments and lights. My Christmas gifts are planned and bought before Thanksgiving.

I’m constantly counting down the days until the month of mistletoe and holly. September, October, November. Each day is closer than the one before. As the decorations go up a month early (possibly two), I anxiously await for December when my excitement is finally acceptable.

I’ve been told on multiple occasions if jolly old St. Nick and I were judged on who had the most spirit, I would win by a landslide. Needless to say, there are only a few people who can handle the full extent of my enthusiasm for Christmas.

My Christmas Pandora station is playing year round. Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Michael Buble and many others fill my room with good wishes, snow and carols of bells.

My house is filled with the smell of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Baked goods are always in abundance because I live in the kitchen during the holidays trying out new recipes and recreating the classics. I always end up covered in flour along with most, if not all the countertops.

I start decorating in November. A total of four Christmas trees are scattered about my house. Two one-foot trees in my room, one four-foot in the dining room, and one nine-foot tree in the living room. Silver and gold ornaments adorn all the branches. The lights glint off the glass. My mother shakes her head disapprovingly at me. She never has appreciated my early decorating along with most of everyone else. Though it doesn’t stop me from experiencing what I love.

People often wonder why my Christmas starts in September, and to tell the truth, I am nowhere near as happy the other 334 days of the year as I am during the holiday season. The lights, decorations, music and food bring me so much joy. The memories that come back to me every year and the new ones I make warm my heart. It is an astounding feeling of bliss.

Not only is it the food, decorations, music and lights that make me feel warm on the inside, it’s those who I get to spend the season with. Friends and family. They make everything wonderful. Whether it’s Christmas day with my family or a casual Christmas party with my friends, they are what really makes my Christmas special.