When Does Christmas Really Start? The Debate After Halloween.
Every year, after coming home exhausted from all the trick-or-treating and Halloween partying, you lean over and turn on some music to unwind. Right there, a Christmas playlist, courtesy of Spotify.
It’s November first, and Halloween’s over, so bring out the old ornament box!
However, some high schoolers at Seminole High have mixed feelings on the sudden transition from spooky to festive. For all the Christmas enthusiasts out there, November 1st marks a joyous shift. They’ll start blasting Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat, stringing lights around their rooms, and swapping their typical phone wallpapers to winter scenes.
Not everyone feels this way, though. Many people think Thanksgiving should have its own place and not be skipped over. Thanksgiving fans see it as a time to relax, enjoy good food, and be thankful for what they have. They feel that if everyone jumps right into Christmas, Thanksgiving loses some of its importance. Shaylyn Garcia-Hailekal, a Health Academy junior, says that she “loves celebrating Thanksgiving because it’s a time to celebrate with her family and not focus so much on gifts.” They feel that Thanksgiving is different because it’s all about gratitude, as opposed to gift giving
For some, the timing of holiday celebrations has to do with how their families celebrate. Some households hold off on Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving to keep each celebration distinct, focusing first on gratitude and family gatherings. These family traditions create lasting memories and shape how each person views the holiday season.
Retail stores seem to fuel the early holiday spirit, putting up Christmas displays in October and launching sales before the kids finish sorting their Twizzlers and their Milky Way.
Many stores put up holiday displays in October and start advertising Christmas sales before Halloween is even over. For them, it’s a way to get people shopping earlier. Major stores also begin their Black Friday deals weeks in advance, which makes people feel like Christmas is just around the corner.
Social media has a big influence as well. On TikTok and Instagram, influencers start sharing holiday decorating tips and gift ideas as soon as Halloween ends. This makes some people feel like they should start decorating too, to keep up with the trends. All of the holiday content can create a sense of pressure to get into the spirit, even if they don’t feel like celebrating so early.
There’s also some science behind the idea of celebrating early. Studies show that decorating for Christmas sooner can actually make people happier. Holiday decorations can bring up happy memories and help people feel more cheerful during the darker, colder days of winter. “Seeing all of the decorations makes me feel warm and excited,” said Karielyz Melendez, another junior. “It makes November and December feel more fun.”
On the other hand, Thanksgiving fans feel that rushing into Christmas takes away from the meaning of Thanksgiving. They say it’s a chance to slow down, be thankful, and enjoy family time without the pressure of gift-giving or decorating.
In the end, there’s no right or wrong answer. Some people love starting Christmas early, while others want to keep Thanksgiving special. Whether you decorate on November 1st or wait until after Thanksgiving, everyone should celebrate in their own way.
Maybe that’s what the holidays are all about-making it your own and enjoying it with the people you care about and love.