We all know that Christmas is so commercialized that stores start stocking candy canes and gingerbread as early as October and sometimes even September! Without so much as a nod to Halloween, retailers, it often seems like, are competing to see who can bring out the Christmas decor first. We haven’t celebrated the Mayflower yet and people are already blasting Mariah Carey. But this trend does raise a fair question: How soon is too soon to start celebrating Christmas?
Even though Christmas seems to steal the spotlight well before its time, I firmly believe Christmastime should be celebrated right after Thanksgiving. That’s right. The tree should not go up before the pilgrims are celebrated. Why, you may ask? As Andy Williams sings, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Timing is everything. Christmas is not as wonderful when Christmas songs on the radio start before Halloween! Everyone is tired of them by the time we should be enjoying them most. It’s a specific time. A finite time. And thus, the most wonderful time.
There is a sweet spot right after Thanksgiving that is perfect for bringing out the holiday cheer. This transition period bleeds right into December so everyone can begin the festivities.
You wouldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July two months before. Why? Because it takes away from the true essence of the holiday. It is only fair to Thanksgiving to give it its own month. Thanksgiving should not have to share its celebration with Christmas.
Some people may argue, however, that Christmas deserves extra time because of its joyful spirit, the decorations and the anticipation it brings. They believe that stretching out the season helps everyone get into the holiday mood, especially since Christmas can feel like a magical escape from everyday life. Yet, there’s something to be said for savoring each holiday on its own. By letting Thanksgiving have its moment, we can fully appreciate the warmth, gratitude, and togetherness it brings before diving into the excitement of Christmas.
In fact, there is actually a physical response when we extend Christmas beyond its granted time. You may have experienced it yourself! This phenomenon is called “” and often kicks in when the festive season is stretched from fall into winter. By transforming the holidays into a prolonged event, we unintentionally create a marathon that leaves many feeling worn out long before Christmas arrives. This fatigue stems from the pressure of endless to-do lists, elaborate decorations and frequent social gatherings—all of which typically begin several months before December. Rather than a gradual buildup of joy, it results in "celebration burnout," a point where we've been so overloaded that the excitement feels dull by the time the real season rolls around.
To conclude, I ask that we reclaim that little slice of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, where we can breathe, reminisce and gear up for the festivities ahead. After all, the best moments come when we take the time to truly celebrate, rather than simply hurry through to the next event. So here’s to honoring each holiday in its rightful time—because there’s more than enough joy to go around when we allow each season to shine on its own!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.