It’s red cup season at Starbucks, and if you’re a normal college student, you know this means that the holidays are creeping up on us.

When I was little, fall seemed to drag on forever. I would patiently (or not) count down the days until Thanksgiving, then until Christmas.

The month of December seemed ever long and so I consoled myself by badgering my mother about putting the tree up early and shopping for gifts. As I’ve gotten older, the days go by more quickly and Christmas is here before I can say “God bless us, everyone.”

One thing that hasn’t changed though, is the anticipation. Little signs of the holiday season are sprinkled everywhere.

Leaves are falling and the apple-picking season is nearly over. All of our Halloween pumpkins are starting to rot, and everyone got their freak out during last weekend’s festivities.

Everyone in my hall has their Christmas Pandora list playing already, and there’s a Christmas countdown on the white board.

Even though I don’t get into the “holiday spirit” as much as most people, it’s hard to be a Scrooge when I can finally enjoy a peppermint cappuccino (in a red cup!).