The second the clock strikes midnight on Nov. 1, Halloween packs up its candy bags, and Mariah Carey clocks in for her annual shift. Suddenly, pumpkins are turning into nutcrackers and leaves are turning into snowflakes. But what about Thanksgiving? Did we just forget about her? Poor Thanksgiving, stuck between two of the best holidays of the year. She tries her best every year to hold her own, but Santa and his elves come along and steal her spotlight. But is that really that bad? What’s so wrong with celebrating Christmas early? I am personally all here for it. If stringing up holiday lights and blasting “All I Want For Christmas Is You” gives me joy, then what’s the harm in that?
The debate of when it’s time to celebrate Christmas happens every season. People hold such strong opinions on the matter. Some people are quick to hang holiday decor and throw away the pumpkins, whereas others feel very strongly about celebrating Thanksgiving and holding onto the fall spirit.
Junior Anna Minino is a Thanksgiving enthusiast and she does not like celebrating Christmas too early. She said, “ I feel like putting up Christmas decorations right after Halloween kinda erases Thanksgiving. It’s a holiday that shouldn’t be forgotten.”
Sophomore Emily Flynn agrees and explains that it is just too early to celebrate in November. She said, “It is still fall outside.” Flynn likes to do all her Christmas decorating after Thanksgiving is over.
Minino also brings up a point that Thanksgiving is a very important holiday. She said, “Despite the problematic background, it now represents being grateful for all that you have and celebrating your loved ones and friends around you.”
I do agree with both Flynn’s and Minino’s points, Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that I look forward to every year. There is nothing better than waking up early to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, followed by The National Dog Show. Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with family, friends and delicious food. It’s a time to be grateful and appreciative for all you have.
However, Thanksgiving is not a holiday you can celebrate for a long period of time. Halloween and Christmas are filled with decorations, movies and music, something that Thanksgiving doesn’t have a lot of. Sure, there are Thanksgiving films, like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” which is definitely an annual watch for me. There is also some turkey decor, but nothing that can stretch the excitement for weeks, like the other holidays have.
I think that it is perfectly fine to celebrate Thanksgiving the week that it happens. For me, I love to rewatch all the “Friends” episodes. But that is kind of it. For the rest of November, it’s Christmas time. Even Starbucks and Dunkin’ begin to celebrate Christmas in November. Their holiday drinks are already out! Target has had their holiday decor on the shelves for weeks, I even heard Christmas music playing when I was shopping last weekend. Hallmark Channel also loves to kick off the season early. They air their festive films beginning even before October ends!
And honestly, who can blame them? There is something so magical about Christmas that I get emotional thinking about it every year. During the holiday season, everything feels a little bit brighter. Yes, Christmas can be a stressful time for some, but it is mostly filled with holiday magic and cheer.
People love to say, “It’s too early!” But what is so wrong about wanting to feel happy? Why should there be a deadline on joy and holiday fun? I am not saying that everyone needs to take out a Christmas tree and hang up their stockings, but if someone wants to, let them! The world could use a little bit more cheer these days, and Christmas is a great way to do that! So next time you see someone trying to spread some holiday cheer, don’t be a scrooge and let them get their Christmas on!
