Too soon?
Two days ago, while in the grocery store, I came across a display of Christmas cookies. I asked myself the same question I ask myself every year at this time; “Is it too early?”
Let me preface this whole thing be saying that I absolutely love Christmas. I am not one of these ‘grinches’ who thinks people overdo it with the holiday season, because when I am in full swing yuletide mode, I am borderline obsessed. I am constantly listening to Christmas music, baking Christmas snacks, watching Christmas specials and waiting for the sun to go down so I can plug in the Christmas lights.
There’s plenty of people who feel the same way. They can’t wait for Christmas to start. With all the excitement of the season on the horizon it’s understandable that we sometimes jump the gun. But when we start the Christmas fun too soon, does it start to diminish what’s special about the season.
Part of the great joy of the holiday season is that it only comes once a year and the anticipation of its arrival builds and builds. Some of that excitement is lost when you start gearing up for it right after Halloween. Christmas songs playing on a loop, the decorations everywhere, the endless Christmas movies — before long, does the whole thing just get tired? Almost two months celebrating one holiday, no matter how beloved it might be, can be a bit much. The stores are often blamed for jumping the gun, but we all know they wouldn’t be doing that if there wasn’t a demand for it.
So what’s a good time to kick-off the Christmas season?
Americans have it easy as they can pretty naturally go from Thanksgiving right into Christmas. Waiting until after Remembrance Day is a respectful way to do it, though I think people can put some focus on Christmas while still giving Remembrance Day the attention it deserves. Personally, I let the advent calendars be my guide. Once December 1st hits, the holidays are officially started with plenty of time to get your yuletide fix.
In the end, it all comes down to your own preferences. When and how you celebrate the holiday time of year should be decided by you and you alone. So when does it start for you?