the official start to the holidays

Sunday was the Santa Claus parade in Toronto, which means in our house, that the Holiday Season is now officially open. We went to my parents to watch the parade (which my Dad had taped) and did the usual Stephenson Family traditions to mark the special occasion. I had tried to take more "festive" photos but we have a child that has a molar coming in. He's so unhappy - but I managed to get one shot of the little guy on my lap, in a moment of happiness. And so now, the boxes of decorations will come out of storage, and I won't feel weird about listening to Christmas music in the house. :) Do you have an official date that you consider the start to the holidays?