I’m a huge fan of Christmas, but I agree with some of the criticisms that our wonderful Christian holiday has fallen victim to capitalist ideals. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to scream “Bah-Humbug” and let others destroy a holiday I love dearly.

Everyone insists that Thanksgiving and Christmas should be kept completely separate, as if the two are arch nemeses. If there is so much as a single string of Christmas lights indicating someone has the nerve to celebrate the Christmas season before the third Thursday of November, suddenly it becomes an atrocity to mankind itself. That’s what I don’t understand: Why is it that people get so up in arms when a mere mention of the Christmas spirit is expressed before Thanksgiving? What does it matter to random passersby that Jimmy or Susie wants to get in the spirit to celebrate an amazing holiday before Thanksgiving has passed? Regarding that passerby, does it really affect them in any way when a Christmas tree is in sight? The grand truth is that they can very simply move on with their lives rather than making a large fuss over something so small and minor. Indeed, it would make much more sense for those aggravated people to focus that energy on a topic of more importance in our society, such as the poor or homeless who didn’t have a Thanksgiving dinner to enjoy.

Believe it or not, some people hold Christmas near and dear to their hearts. Memories of family and friends, and yes, sometimes presents, bring joy or even tears to hearts around the world. Seemingly endless amounts of Christmas music, clothing and décor have been created for this wonderful holiday and to those who want to, why can’t they enjoy the holiday whenever they want?

To live a good life, a person needs to have a comprehensive understanding of boundaries. They give us a ceiling by separating what is right and wrong. Without them, moral judgement is near impossible. Boundaries come in all shapes and sizes—some difficult to accept, some easier. Abstaining from Christmas celebration until Thanksgiving is not difficult. It’s actually helpful. When people get in the habit of saving their Christmas spirit, they are more apt to have an easier time when it comes to real life events such as chastity or patience.

I’ve noticed that the majority of people wait until Thanksgiving to splurge on Christmas culture. Those who don’t observe this practice soil the patient people’s efforts when they blast the new Taylor Swift Christmas album or any other in-your-face celebration during holiday ordinary time. It isn’t cute, and chances are the people around you are not on your side.

Also, when people participate in early Christmas celebrations, they promote consumerism in our society. Have you ever seen a blown-up Santa Claus decoration at Sears in the middle of October? That symbol flourishes because shoppers who celebrate Christmas early respond to it by buying more Christmas goods in their lives. They stretch the profitable season of Christmas over a greater period of time more than it deserves to be.

The most basic and convincing reason to wait for Christmas fun, though, is that it makes the celebration better. It causes a celebrant to pack more of a punch into those few short weeks before the long-anticipated day, which is far more satisfying than the alternative.