The holidays are right around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited. This is one of my favorite times of the year. I look forward to all the holiday traditions I share with my family.

Thanksgiving is going to be here before we know it. Every Thanksgiving, my family and I drink mimosas and watch the Thanksgiving Day parades. We normally switch back and forth between the 6 ABC Philadelphia parade and the Macy’s parade in New York City. This year we won’t have all our leisure time in the morning because it is the first year we are hosting Thanksgiving, and we have to make sure everything is ready for the big day. Since we are hosting, I am really trying to push a pajama theme, but I don’t know how well that is going to work out.

We have officially started decorating for Christmas at my house. Our tree is already up with the lights; we haven’t put the ornaments on, but I am sure that is coming. We have had a fake tree all my life because my mom and brother are allergic to real ones and it is easier to maintain. I am excited for our outside lights to go up. My mom is itching for them as well.

I love driving around this time of year and seeing everyone’s holiday lights twinkling in the dark. Every Christmas Eve, my family and I drive around different neighborhoods in the area to look at all the different lights. Some of the houses around us go all out, and I love it.

Although some people think that starting to decorate for Christmas means you are skipping Thanksgiving, I don’t believe that. I think if you wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate, the decorations aren’t up long enough.

— Mary Melnick, social media and editorial coordinator