NOVEMBER

As we put away our Halloween costumes, there’s a hint of melancholy in the air. Some turn to the next holiday to feel that sense of warmth during the darkest and coldest months of the year.

For those who celebrate, Christmas is one of the most important holidays of the year — a time to celebrate family and friends and reflect on the past year. When should celebration begin? I believe Christmas celebrations should start on November 1st.

The best part about Christmas is the build up to it and the traditions that take place before Dec. 25. Activities pile up, and an adequate amount of time is necessary to fulfill the multitude of different Christmas traditions, so therefore some start celebrations earlier than others.

Christmas, for me, brings a different kind of joy. There’s just something about that feeling when the lights and decorations start popping up everywhere. It could be that hint of magic in the air. Maybe it’s all of the festive music and movies popping up again, or perhaps even just spending extra time with family and friends.

One month out of the 12 simply isn’t enough time to fully immerse in the Christmas spirit. I believe that at the very least—Christmas should be celebrated alongside Thanksgiving so the joy of the holiday can last throughout both November and December.

DECEMBER

Christmas has been around for hundreds of years and has evolved within different countries and cultures, so it’s hard to define exactly when the holiday season starts. However, I think we need to start at what Christmas really is. For me, Christmas is winter; Christmas is studying at a coffee shop before winter break and staying inside with my family during big snow storms.

To me, this holiday is synonymous with December. Christmas should start Dec. 1 as that’s when there is the most festive energy.

December is really when Christmas is in full swing, but the moment Halloween ends, companies start pushing out Christmas themed advertisements and products. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s incredibly important to live in the moment, and the 30-50° weather of November does not capture the Christmas “moment.”

Starting the festivities early degrades the celebratory spirit, since you’re beginning it so early, tiring it by the time Christmas actually comes around. So, in reality, there is no real essence of the holiday to be celebrated in the early days of November.

Though Christmas has the power to bring joy to people worldwide, that power is limited to just December. There is no reason to celebrate Christmas early when it doesn’t feel like Christmas at all.