The holiday season has come early to the DeMattos household. No, I did not get the '65 Mustang fastback that I have wanted since I was 18 years old, nor did I get the 14-foot Boston Whaler that has been on my wish list for as long as I have been married. It was nothing so dramatic.

On Nov. 5, I loaded the CD player with Christmas music.

This was early, even by my standards.

I will be the first to admit that I am the sentimental type and pine for the holiday season. I like the smell of Christmas trees and pumpkin spice, the shimmer of garlands, the twinkling of Christmas lights, and the sounds of good ol' Bing crooning in the background. Why, if I had my way, I would start the holidays in mid-September. In fact, it takes everything I've got in me to hold off the season until Thanksgiving weekend.

What started on Nov. 5 continued on Nov, 9 when I went to Tamura's Fine Wine and Liquors, and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but my favorite beer of all time, Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. A robust and hearty ale, Celebration is not for the meek. It is a winter draft, brewed extra strong to stand up to cold winter nights. Now, Hawai'i is not known for its White Christmases and I have only seen falling snow on one occasion, but I love the beer and am especially fond of the snow-covered log cabin on the label. It warms the soul!

My wife and I hung the Christmas lights over the living room archway on Nov. 17, and later that same night Mother and Daughter (aka the Christmas elves) completed the household decorations, including stockings, candles, wreaths, and seasonal throws while I worked in the home office. By Nov. 20, the season was in full bloom. The only things missing were the Christmas tree, eggnog and a pumpkin pie. The former would have to wait until early December, while the latter two would be taken care of by week's end. In fact, if I plan well and eat enough goodies, I may even fill out and fit into a Santa suit. This will please my daughter immensely, but not my cardiologist.

Truth be told, I think this holiday season will be tighter than the Little Drummer Boy's tom-tom. The global financial crisis has put out more than a few Christmas lights, but in a bizarre turn of events, it may have put the emphasis back on those things that really matter — family and friends. My guess is that there will a few less gifts under the tree but more joy in our hearts.

Normally, Christmas starts in late November and ends with the last credit card payment (around mid-July, for most Americans).

I think this year will be different. I suspect that I am not alone, and the holiday season will start earlier for many Americans, and the bills will be paid off sooner, too. But if we are lucky, the holiday spirit will last longer and not be thrown out like a dried-up Douglas fir. This is my wish, for an extra helping of holiday cheer É and a 14-foot Boston Whaler.

Michael C. DeMattos is on faculty at the University of Hawai'i Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work. He lives in Kane'ohe with his wife, daughter and animals.