I’m giving in to the holiday season this year. It seems evident that corporate America has pulled no punches, so in return, I shall not either.

I went out the very day after Halloween this year and immersed myself in it. The busy bees of Target were already hammering away on the Christmas section of the store, where untold thousands of dollars worth of garland and ornaments would be sold. I wanted to be a part of it.

They already had the music playing and I felt myself begin to hum “Joy to the World” along with the piped-in soundtrack.

Last year it took me a little too long to get into the spirit.

Literally, I didn’t find it until Dec. 23. Multiple holiday cards had been delivered to my house by mistake. I decided it would take too long for the postal service to get them to their proper address, so I made it my mission to get them to their rightful homes.

People were so happy to have their cards before the holidays. I was like Santa in jeans and a sweatshirt.

But I’m not waiting that late again. This year I’m ready to roll early. Not too early. Not like before-they-even-start-selling-pumpkins early. That’s just ridiculous. I’m someone who needs to take things one holiday at a time.

I already got a jump on it, because my holiday season this year is more quirky than normal.

Thanksgiving will be two-fold, as will Christmas. I headed to Southern California this past weekend for an early Thanksgiving with my family (which also doubled as a surprise visit to my grandpa for his 80th birthday). This week, on Thanksgiving Day, I will help my best bud Cindy tackle her first-ever Thanksgiving feast at her new home, where our families and friends will all come together.

My pre-Christmas celebration will be hosted by Carnival Cruise Lines, on a four-day family trip to Ensenada, Mexico. Nothing says Christmas like a sombrero, right?

My family wants to boycott the whole holiday this year. But they’re out of luck — I secretly purchased a two-foot-high, pre-lit Christmas tree to put in my stateroom. It’s just not Christmas without a tree.

Christmas itself will be spent with Peter’s family. We will wear our matching Santa hat PJ’s (a gift from last year that I’m sure he still loves) and will tear open presents with his mom, dad and sister.

Between the two holidays I will spend a fun-filled night cruising the town with my friends in a limo trying to track down the best and brightest house decorations.

All in all, it should prove to be a fun holiday season. Busy, but fun.

And this year, I’m ready for it. Bring on the playing of board games with families. Bring on the wearing of the silly Christmas Santa hat while opening presents. And bring on decorating of the house with holiday cheer. You will find no “Bah Humbugs” coming out of my mouth. Just call me the Christmas spirit herself.

Michelle Choat’s column appears every other week. Contact her at mchoat@napanews.com