Sure, it seems like a silly holiday, and it occasionally strays into less-than-savory territory, what with the witches and all. But it turns out that Halloween serves a vital role in the American calendar.

Here in Brazil, they don’t really celebrate Halloween–their costumed holiday is taken care of by Carnaval in February. And what that means is that there is no barrier preventing them from hauling out the 40-ft Christmas trees on October 20. Or filling Wal-Mart with tinsel, fake trees and enormous boxed fruitcakes when there’s still 17% of the year to go before the big day.

Also, in most parts of the US of A, people resent Christmas decorations being put out before the weather is behaving at least a little Christmassy. Of course, here in Brazil, it never gets Christmassy, so that’s not a barrier, either.

And so I find myself, one who is typically happy to crank up the carols immediately after Halloween, flailing helplessly against the onrushing tide of wreaths, angels, fir trees and snowmen. Yes, snowmen. In Rio de Janeiro. In summer.

This is a strange country, sometimes.