Mackenzie McGrath, Campus Carrier graphics editor
We as a society are very divided on one specific topic, one that brings out the worst in every person involved and creates so much tension around the holiday season. It can get so heated that it even begs the question, “Was it even worth bringing it up?”. That topic is “Should Christmas be celebrated in November?”
As soon as November 1 rolls around every year, the age-old debate comes along with it. While joking about how heated this debate can become, I was not kidding about how ride-or-die people can be on one side of the fence or the other. I guarantee that you could go up to any random person on the street and they would be so defensive about their opinion on the subject. Personally, I believe that Christmas should be celebrated right after Halloween.
My main argument for this when people ask is that by the time Christmas has come and gone, I want to be sick of it. There’s no denying that Christmas is a joyous time of the year for all who celebrate. Therefore, I want to be happy putting up my decorations on November 1st, stay satisfied looking at the decor as the two months pass and be ready to take it down as the new year approaches. It’s no secret that Christmas music can get repetitive and annoying as time goes on as well. I just want to be sick of all of it once everything is said and done so that I can move on to the next big thing. The thought of taking down decor when I haven’t had time to enjoy it is just sad.
The biggest rebuttal that I get on this topic is, “Well, what about Thanksgiving?” Let me ask, what aboutThanksgiving is so important, anyway? Thanksgiving decor isn’t nearly as festive as Christmas, nor does it make anyone necessarily happy to look at. Sure, seeing family is nice, but what else is that holiday good for? Dry turkey and a parade? I’ve always told any Thanksgiving defenders one thing: if they can successfully make a playlist that is at least two hours long full of Thanksgiving music, I will start celebrating it during the whole month of November.
Ultimately, if celebrating Christmas prematurely makes someone happy, what is it any of anyone else’s business? Clouding such a happy time of the year with such a silly debate is not worth it. Besides, not everyone celebrates Christmas, and anyone outside of the United States doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving anyway. Thanksgiving is one day of the year. I will be listening to my Christmas music until then, and I will pick up where I left off the day after.