By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE — Stockings hang from the mantle and icicles dangle from the roof, at the Owens’ residence on Lentz Road in China Grove, despite trick-or-treaters running rampant just more than a week ago.
With a 12-foot tree in the living room and lighted reindeer in the yard, the Owens aren’t gearing up for the holiday season, they’re in full stride.
Like some, Jason Owens and his wife, Kendra, don’t use most Thanksgiving decorations, instead swapping ghosts for garlands.
Kendra said the family has a tradition of putting out lights right after Halloween. On Sunday, the tedious box-opening, light-hanging job was finished.
“It’s been a tradition that my husband and I have always done,” Kendra Owens said.
Owens has two stepdaughters, she said, who often spend Christmas with their biological mother.
Owens said beginning the season almost two months before Christmas allows their family to enjoy the holiday atmosphere together for longer.
“We put it up each year because of them and because this is our favorite time of year anyway,” Kendra said. “It’s a lot of work so we like to put it up and enjoy it.”
Jason said the Christmas season only lasts about three to four weeks, and then most people take down decorations.
“It takes us forever to get this stuff up,” he said. “It’s a happy time of the year. It’s just so short.”