The halls are decked, snow is on the ground and twinkling lights line the frames of many homes in neighborhoods across the city.

It’s really beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Problem is, it’s the end of January, people.

I understand snow and ice have all but buried many of us alive inside our houses over the past month. Taking Christmas lights down outside would have been next to impossible. In fact, the lights are still up on my house.

However, how hard is it to unplug the extension cord or flip the light switch?

I have heard a myriad of excuses for keeping the lights on.

One is that the lights on the Plaza stay on until the end of January.

True. But I’m sure those high-end stores can afford the ridiculous electricity bills that will follow.

Running the heater non-stop for a month has had a frightening impact on my gas and electricity bills. I did not want to keep my twinkle lights on any second longer than necessary.

Some families had to postpone their holiday celebrations because of the weather. They have left their décor lit in expectation of the arrival of kin.

You know who they are. Their Christmas trees can be seen gleaming through front windows. If you look close enough, you might even see wrapped presents under the trees.

While somewhat endearing, I am left to wonder if those lights will still be shining in my bedroom window all night until the middle of March if they can’t celebrate before then. Spring break is the next vacation for a lot of families.

I do not want to stare at those lights until then.

If about now you are thinking I am nothing but a Grinch or Scrooge crying out, “Ba hum bug,” I should set the record straight.

I am something of a Christmas maniac. I adore the holiday season.

Every year, I take a week off of work just to decorate my house.

All seven days I labor until every corner of the house is tinseled, ornamented and twinkling with pretty lights.

The outside generally takes about two weeks to complete. But it is done in phases.

Once all the halls are decked, I throw a party and have an honorary lighting ceremony.

But, all of my hard work and enthusiasm does not stop me from getting the decorations put away by Dec. 31.

There is a reason for that.

When I was a kid, the Christmas season began in December after Thanksgiving was over. But not anymore.

We now watch the stores fill with decorations in October and the radio stations start playing holiday tunes shortly thereafter.

The holidays are all about anticipation. Most of us remember dreaming of Christmas all year long as a child.

But the longer we make the holidays the less time there is in-between for the anticipation to grow.

We are stripping the season of its magic.

If you really think about it, we have already celebrated for four months by the end of January.

It’s time to pack it up until later this year.

Don’t worry though, it’s not that long of a wait.

But if those lights aren’t off by February, don’t be surprised if I start picketing your house.

Alexia Lang (alang@unews.com)

Source: University News