We all know it’s about that time of year again. More and more houses are beginning to glow with Christmas spirit; garlands twist around fences, wreaths hang on front doors, pines bedecked with lights and ornaments glitter in windows. But when is it really time to pin stockings and decorate the tree?

Christmas seems to come earlier every year, and I, for one, don’t want Saint Nick shoved down my chimney come November. I’m no Scrooge, but I think the holiday spirit is best reserved for December 1 onwards.

At its core, Christmas is a 12-day celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but for many, it has morphed into a more universal time of family, togetherness, and love. Those values deserve celebration, but stretching them into a two-month bonanza ends up diluting much of their meaning.

Instead of the occasional tradition or activity dragged out over the long, liminal time between Halloween and December, why not concentrate all that celebration for the times when families unite, school and work get out, and Christmas Day really feels near? That way, though “Christmas” is shorter, the days when we do celebrate feel authentic and memorable, not like some stale cookies from who-knows-when.

And why bake cookies for Santa in November when there are whole turkeys, cranberry sauces, and stuffings that deserve just as much love? Thanksgiving is the perfect celebration to lead into Christmas, transitioning us into the holiday spirit through family time and gratitude. The feast meant to cap the fall harvest, Thanksgiving marks the time when the last fall colors fade and the clean whites and greys of winter start to set in. That feeling of soft snow and early nights by a roaring fireplace is what defines the Christmas season, not crunchy leaves and warm-toned trees.

But then why does Christmas begin earlier every year, even before Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season? Well, Christmas is a huge moneymaker for retail companies. No time is better for sales than the so-called “golden quarter” from October through December, especially around events like Black Friday and Christmas. So by pushing the start date for the Christmas season forward, companies gain more valuable time when consumers feel inclined to spend more and spend easily.

But Christmas is, as many a Hallmark movie will tell you, not a materialistic celebration. While gifts are a great way to show appreciation and an act of kindness that cements relationships, it’s the quality time we spend together that makes it such a special time of year. Thinking back on past Christmases, I hardly remember most of the presents I received, but I remember sitting around the tree and having lively dinners with extended family.

So despite the infinite distractions of consumerism, Christmas is best kept short and authentic. There’s so much to love about the holiday season, but that’s not a reason to make it last forever. Instead, let’s appreciate it for what it is: a holly, jolly, 25 days.