It’s the day after Halloween, you’re exhausted from trick-or-treating all night, you’re sick from all the candy you’ve eaten and you’re driving home after sleeping over at your friend’s house. Everything is silent except for the background music playing on the radio. Your body jolts as the sound of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” begins to blare over the speakers.
This poses an important question: when is the proper time to start celebrating the Christmas season?
For decades, there has been an argument over when holiday festivities like putting up the tree and singing holiday songs should begin. On the first day of December? Right after Thanksgiving? As early as October? Whether you strongly believe one of these dates is right or not, in the grand scheme of things, it’s really up to one’s opinion.
For as long as anyone can remember, the transition between Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas has always been muddled with no definite start or end time.
Regarding the retail business, stores and websites start prepping for Christmas as early as before Halloween. It’s impossible to step into Costco on the first day of October without your eyes falling upon a 20–foot snowman inflatable.
On the other hand, there’s always that one family member who goes ballistic if they see an ounce of red and green before the month of December.
So what makes people want to start celebrating so early anyways?
From my personal experience, Christmas is always an exciting time of year, consisting of numerous activities at all times. There are never really any dull moments during the holiday season.
It’s impossible to not be filled with holiday joy when you walk into school and are greeted by the colorful Christmas paintings that cover the windows.
Ice skating, baking cookies, singing songs, and watching festive movies are only a few of the many lively pastimes that occur throughout this holiday season.
Christmas is also a time of love among friends and family, so it makes sense that many people can’t wait to embrace the holiday as early as they can.
Additionally, the spirit of Christmas is proven to benefit mental health and people’s overall mood.
Deborah Serani, Psy.D. professor of psychology at Adelphi University, explains, “holiday decor sparks a neurobiological shift that’s great for our mental and physical wellbeing.”
And how can you not be happy when you’re surrounded by all of this cheer?
Christmas is a special time of year that many spend months anticipating, so with all of these factors in mind, remember that the real spirit of the holidays isn’t about the timing of it all– it’s about the connections you make and precious moments you get to spend.
