8 more Saturdays…

VIEWPOINT

By RALPH HARDIN

Evening Times Editor

It’s November 1st, folks, and you know what that means…

Yes, the Holiday Season is upon us once more! Fun fact: I actually already bought my first box of Little Debbie Gingerbread Man cookies last week, so I’ve gotten a jump on things.

Yes, Halloween is basically the last thing keeping the Christmas season from creeping even further up the calendar, but that was yesterday, so put away those Jack O’ Lanterns and get out that mistletoe, gang! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

And it’s never too early to start looking for Christmas gift bargains. I’ve actually alread got three presents tucked away in my secret stash, so I’m ahead of the game. But don’t wait, there are only eight Saturdays left until Christmas, so make that list and check it twice (otherwise you might get your brother-in-law two utility knives again — I mean, in theory).

See VIEWPOINT, page A6 VIEWPOINT

From page A4

If you’re a longtime reader, you’ve probably already read about my love for the holiday season. I’ll definitely be listening exclusively to Christmas music by the end of next week. I’ll probably wait until after the election because that seems like its own thing and I don’t want to mix politics with religion — unlike those Republicans, right? Hahaha… sorry, I’ll see myself out.

But for real, I do love the whole vibe that the march up to Thanksgiving into Christmas and then up to New Year’s Eve brings. I know this can be a tough time of year for some folks, and I hope if that’s you, you can find a little joy this year.

All of my kids are officially grown now, so we’re mostly having “adult” Christmas this year. I say “mostly” because I do have a one-year-old grandson and my wife has already officially gone overboard on getting him stuff. He was only four months old last Christmas so it was like buying presents for a cute potato last year, but he’s going to be super excited opening gifts from Pop and Granna here in 2024… hold on a second — “Alexa, play ‘Ralph’s Christmas Tunes’” on Amazon music. (waits a minute… Aww yeah).

OK, so I started a little early…