Almost everyone seeks social acceptance. There is no better indicator of whether you’re accepted in society than the time you start listening to Christmas music.

It’s still November, and I’ve already borne witness to some people — young and old — prematurely indulging in Christmas music. n It was 75 degrees the other day, and there is no way you can walk around in a t-shirt and shorts with your AirPods blasting Christmas music without seeing any issue.

Not the least bit surprising, stores wasted no time getting into the spirit: a fifth of Target is basically an artificial Christmas tree farm. Walmart and even some local shops in Carlisle have followed suit. The Carlisle Antique Mall exudes Christmas starting on  November 1. While I don’t blame them and the big money-maker the season is, they could at least play decent Christmas music.

I don’t think of myself as a “gate-keeper” as far as music is concerned, but when you have the choice of Frank Sinatra or Mariah Carey, you,of course, choose Sinatra. Gene Autry or Justin Bieber? Gene Autry. Brenda Lee or Ariana Grande? 100% Brenda Lee. I’d rather listen to “Tiny Tim’s Christmas Album” than Carey or Bieber (sorry, Mom).

The only socially acceptable time to “unwrap” Christmas music is the Friday after Thanksgiving because the next federal holiday, at that point, is Christmas, and Christmas trees cut down that day typically last until the holiday. The one-month window of acceptably listening to Christmas music is perfect: if you start before that, the spirit is bound to die down before Christmas day itself, and by starting any later, you run the risk of not getting your yearly fix of Sinatra, Autry and Lee, among other greats.