When November 1st arrives, the countdown officially kicks off with only 54 days until Christmas. Suddenly, Christmas ads are shown on TV, decorations such as lights and trees start to go up, and the feeling of the holidays emerges. This is why I believe the holiday season starts in mid-November.
Christmas is the most anticipated holiday worldwide, so there is no denying that many begin celebrating the season as early as possible. French teacher Emilie Alba shared, “We start seeing Christmas items in France after Halloween, so I would say [celebrations start] beginning of November. But for Americans, there is still one more holiday to celebrate, Thanksgiving. It is among the smaller holidays that you can only celebrate on the day of, so I feel it is only right to join the rest of the world and start the holiday festivities in mid-November.”
Personally, I enjoy Thanksgiving, but I don’t look forward to it more than I do Christmas. It can have its one day of food and thanks, until it’s right back to thinking about the holly jolly holidays. Most people begin their holiday shopping in early November, which means teens, like me, have to start their Christmas lists even sooner. Sophomore Stella Hird, who also agrees, said, “Right after summer, I start making my Christmas list”, which is relatable for many of her friends as well. The small things, such as gift lists and hearing that first holiday song, slowly make it feel more like Christmas.
Ultimately, the best way to begin the “season of good cheer” is to ease into the celebrations, starting with some decor, wishlist making and turning on “Last Christmas” or “Jingle Bell Rock” here and there. Once November has passed, no one can deny it’s time to put up the Christmas tree and go full Christmas mode.
