My Boyfriend is Having an Affair...

... with CHRISTMAS.

You heard me. I know it's only  October 25th, that's how I know it's an affair! Follow along, people!

Anyway, Brian has always loved Christmas.

 

[exhibit A... and B]

It's just that this year he has started a little bit early...

[look at him sweating in that Christmas outfit!]

I mean, it's not like the guy doesn't have good reasons for loving Christmas. His choir puts on a fantastic concert, for one thing. Oh, and his family has CRAZY (but awesome) traditions, most notably Cookie Baking Weekend. 

Cookie Baking Weekend is exactly how it sounds. The whole family gets together and bakes hundreds, possibly even thousands, of Christmas cookies. This includes wearing matching aprons, antler headbands, and listening to a constant mix of Christmas tunes.

The first time I joined, Brian asked me if I had any suggestions for the Christmas playlist. I hesitated, then said, "Silent Night?"

This became a joke with the family because they probably had five different versions of Silent Night on the playlist already. What they were looking for was suggestions of songs from specific Christmas albums. Whoops. 

The only Christmas album I know is Harry Connick Jr! It's my mom's favorite.

Anyway, there are many types of cookies made--some I had never even heard of before. Like rossettes, these crispy, fried things shaped like flowers. Spritz is another kind, shaped like 3D trees and wreaths that you get to shoot out of a pump (compare it to a Play-Doh toy, that's what it reminds me of at least).

I suppose the best part is decorating sugar cookies. (Note that each cookie must be decorated in a special way, according to tradition.) We get to draw on hundreds of them with different colors of frosting and sprinkles. And because it's Christmas, there is no ugly pile, just a to-eat pile. 

By now you may have discovered something. I like Christmas too. 

 

[caught in the act]

We practically share a name, for crying out loud! 

(When I was 8 or 9, I tried to make my friend a Christmas card. I accidentally wrote "Merry Christie!" on the front. She gave it back saying, "I don't want to marry you, Christie!")

Now where was I?

Oh yes, Brian is slipping away! He is thinking about ornaments and snow and how my family always sings Christmas carols before we open presents. I mean...

[suspicious]

You see, Brian is cheating. He can't be excited for Christmas before Halloween! Just because Christmas is only 2 months away, just because Christmas means desserts and sparkly lights, just because it's going to be
awesome,

festive,

and pine/cinnamon-scented...

doesn't mean he can break the rules! 

Right?

Actually... I think Brian wins on this one. I'm (SORT OF--IN A HEALTHY AMOUNT) excited for Christmas now.

Congratulations, champ.