Long holiday season a gift or lump of coal?

Thanksgiving, set by Congress as the fourth Thursday in November, this year comes as early as it possibly can. And because it stands as the unofficial kickoff to the year-end holidays, that means we're going to have an extra-long holiday season.

Is this something to rejoice about? Or dread? It depends on whether you think your cup of eggnog is half-full or half-empty.

Let's take a look at both sides of the equation.

Pro: There's an extra week for listening to your favorite holiday music.

Con: That's an extra week of listening to Kenny G.

Pro: More time for kids to bask in the gleeful anticipation of all the gifts they're about to receive.

Con: More time for kids to drive parents nuts with their sugar-fueled impatience.

Con: Let's be serious -- no one is losing any weight during this heavy-noshing period.

Pro: We get extra time to search for just the right gift for that special someone.

Con: We'll just have more time to fret over not being able to find the right gift for that special someone.

Pro: There are more chances for family get-togethers with relatives we usually see only once a year.

Con: It will be more challenging to come up with more excuses for ducking these distant relatives.