People seem to hate basically everything these days, especially around the holidays. I am not even going to touch the Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays war or the annual The Starbucks Holiday Cups Are Not Holiday Enough movement…..seriously people, get a job or something. But I will talk about one recent hate I keep seeing lately and that is Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving.
My Facebook feed this year is either full of people who already decorated or people who hate that people already decorated. I have read that decorating is tacky all the way to it’s downright disrespectful of Thanksgiving, it’s a little ridiculous. And that handful that do not care when others decorate their own house? You’re the real MVPs, never change.
For the past about eight years or so, I have been decorating my house for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving. With the exception of the year my daughter was a newborn at Thanksgiving and the year my daddy went into hospice care, those years I squeezed it in when I could. And while I do not really owe an explanation to anyone as to why and when I decorate my own house, I thought I could at least offer a little perspective. So here ya go.
Reason 1 – Thanksgiving Plans
Anyone on here travel for Thanksgiving? Visit more than one family? I do. This is my Thanksgiving week….work M-W, Wednesday pack and prep for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday we have lunch with one family (often hosting) then drive halfway across the state to have dinner with the other family. Then we stay there to visit until Sunday. Monday morning it is back to work. I am very fortunate to be off for Thanksgiving break but I am not actually home to put out any decorations. Coming home from a long weekend is already hectic enough and it is very nice to come home to an already decorated house.
Reason 2 – Daily Schedule
So this is a small glimpse of my schedule. M-F, I work full-time and three of those days I hit the gym after work. Then there are baths, dinner, homework and everything else it takes to keep a household and family running. Saturdays our daughter has gymnastics and Sunday is church. Then there are the businesses we own. Any guesses on which month is busiest for a bakery? Yep, it’s December.
Reason 3 – It Works for Us
I enjoy Christmas, always have. And after losing a parent over the holidays, I found it healing to plan new holiday traditions to enjoy with my little family. Some of those include going away for the weekend as a family. There is also the weekend my husband and I enjoy our Christmas date. There are parties and outings with friends and family and weekends fill up fast. Having decorations up early allow me to keep the Christmas season weekends open for holiday fun.
So that is why my decorations are currently up. This Thanksgiving Day I might have a lit tree in my living room and a few wreaths on my porch, but I promise you I am thinking about Thanksgiving and that is the holiday I am celebrating.
Now, since it is Thanksgiving week, please enjoy my recipe for some yummy cheesecake below.
3 blocks soft cream cheese
1 cup of sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup full fat sour cream
Crushed graham crackers or Oreos
Melted butter
Start by mixing either crackers or Oreos with melted butter until crumbly, I just eyeball this so maybe about 4 tbsp butter to 1 1/2 cups crumbs. The amount you use depends on how thick you want the crust and if you want it up the sides of the pan, so play around with it. Press mixture into a 9 inch spring form pan and bake on 350 for 5 minutes.
Mix all other ingredients with electric mixer until smooth. Be sure to scrape bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly. Pour filling onto crust and bake on 350 for about 1 hour, place pan on a sheet pan as butter may drip from the spring form pan. You can use a water bath in the sheet pan but I choose not to. Watch cake carefully as oven times can vary, it is done when it has a golden brown top and slightly jiggles when tapped. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes then carefully remove the sides of the pan. Once cool but not cold, chill in fridge for at least 12 hours. If cake is not going to be eaten by the next day, wrap in foil and freeze. I like these cakes plain but they are also delish with sweet toppings.
Happy Holidays Y’all!