9 Telltale Signs That The Holiday Season Is Nearly Here In Michigan

Whether you’re thrilled about the arrival of the new season or longing for another dose of summer sunshine, there’s no denying that the holidays are almost upon us. Before we know it, every inch of Michigan will be immersed in full blizzard conditions as we ring in Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and every holiday in between. Here are nine surefire ways to tell that the holidays are about to make an appearance in the Great Lakes State.

Flickr/Benny Lin

You know the drill: you begin your morning commute and flip on the radio for a few upbeat tunes, only to find that your favorite station has decided to start playing Christmas music 24/7. In early November, no less. There’s nothing wrong with a few holiday carols, but we’re not sure that we can handle another five rounds of "Silver Bells."

Flickr/Deb Nystrom

Before the holiday season begins, it always happens: a few flurries stick to the ground overnight, prompting every Michigander to snap a low-quality photo and immediately post it on social media. Because, you know, the rest of us couldn’t simply look out our windows and see the snow ourselves!

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Flickr/J. Stephen Conn

The holiday season is a time for reflection and togetherness, which mixes perfectly with nostalgia and sentimentality. Pure Michigan ads bring up these feelings year-round, but there’s something extra heartwarming about hearing Tim Allen’s dulcet voice speak about the glories of the Great Lakes State during this time of year. This is an undeniable sign of the season.

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Flickr/Mary Meyer

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, many Michiganders begin to experience overwhelming nervousness and pre-emptive shame. Why, you might ask? Well, there’s a certain feeling of anxiety that accompanies each year’s nationwide appearance by the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, and we can’t stand thinking about the embarrassment we’ll endure from out-of-state friends if our team screws up big time.

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Flickr/F.D. Richards

Have you ever driven down a particularly rough patch of I-75, only to realize that it’s much smoother than usual? If so, it might just be the beginning of winter here in Michigan. As the holidays approach and snowfall increases, our state’s many potholes start to fill up with snow and ice. We can’t say that it’s the improvement we’ve been hoping for, but we’ll accept it as a temporary fix.

Flickr/Wigwam Jones

There’s nothing more exciting than attending America’s Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Detroit each year, and this tradition has drawn in thousands of attendees and television viewers 1924. As Thanksgiving draws nearer, we Michiganders can’t help but daydream about the countless floats, performers, balloons, and other surprises we’ll see in this year’s magical parade.

Flickr/Michigan Municipal League

As students lock themselves up in the library to study for finals and head home for the holiday season, college towns like Ann Arbor and East Lansing take on an unusual sense of solitude. There’s something uniquely peaceful about strolling through one of our many university community’s downtown areas during this time of year, and we take this as a sign that the holidays are nearly here.

Flickr/Bobby P.

Every Michigander knows the distinct panic of walking through the local Meijer in search of a few last-minute gifts or ingredients, only to spot a high school ex or that former neighbor who drove you crazy. If you’ve moved away from the Great Lakes State, there’s an even greater sense of nervousness as you peruse your hometown's grocery store. After all, who wants to make awkward small talk when there’s turkey to be cooked and pumpkin pie to be eaten?

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Flickr/Michael Kappel

At the end of the day, we can all agree that the holidays bring an unusual sense of warmth to our state. While no season is without its frustrations and holidays are certainly experienced differently by every resident, there’s something special about being among loved ones here in the Great Lakes State. Regardless of what you celebrate and how, the arrival of the holidays often conjures feelings of joy and togetherness.

Tell us, Michiganders: how do you know that the holidays are soon to be upon us? We’re always eager to hear from you, so please feel free to drop us a line with your thoughts in the comment section below!