As the holiday season commences, Lifestyle Co-Editor Samantha Phan and Senior Staff Writer Isabela Contreras go head to head on the age-old debate: Is it too early to put up Christmas decorations? Phan urges readers to get into the Christmas spirit as early as possible, whereas Contreras makes an argument to give Thanksgiving some airtime, too. Where do you stand?
Isabela Contreras: Yes, it can come too early!
I adore November. The leaves start to brown, falling gently to the ground. The wind picks up its bitter bite, and my trusty sweaters and scarves come to the rescue. At last, it’s an appropriate season to consume copious, unhealthy amounts of pumpkin spice; autumn squash soup and pumpkin chai lattes officially become part of my regular diet. As I gaze out my window at the leaves falling, a warm drink in hand, I can’t help but be overwhelmed by my love for fall.
I go about my day feeling warm inside, reminiscing on the comfort that fall brings — until, however, I walk into Target and am assaulted by bright reds and greens. Why? Because, come Nov. 1, corporate America believes that it is Christmastime.
To decorate for Christmas so early completely disrespects Thanksgiving. This time of year — the “holiday season” — is so accurately named as each of these last three months have their own holidays to celebrate: Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Thanksgiving, however, seems to be the only holiday that doesn’t get its moment in the cultural spotlight. This is valid: the origins of Thanksgiving are deeply problematic and have little to offer — there is absolutely nothing to celebrate about the genocide of Indigenous peoples. I’m glad that as a society, we have collectively decided to refuse to celebrate the whole song-and-dance side of this colonial holiday. That said, time-off is what we make of it, and every year like clockwork, we get a short Thursday break from the drudgery.
We should fully embrace this opportunity to spend time with the people we love most and share in a hearty meal filled with gratitude. This way, we can reclaim a holiday with such evil roots through our shared joy. But no — instead, people want to completely skip over this precious chance to jump right into the next one.
It simply makes no sense. Why would you decorate for Christmas, a winter holiday, when it is still November, a fall month? No one would ever think to decorate for Thanksgiving in October, when Halloween is having its moment, so why jump the gun on Christmas?
Every time I try to express this around Christmas fanatics, they always assume that I’m some joyless, Christmas-hating monster who wants to eradicate joy from the world. On the contrary, I actually love Christmas. I love hot chocolate by the fireplace, stockings on the mantel, and presents under the adorned tree just as much as the next person.
However, I believe that happiness shouldn’t be exclusive to Christmas: there are plenty of ways to spread happiness during Thanksgiving and all throughout November. I personally love decorating my living room walls with leaf garlands, burning spiced apple cider candles, and writing cards to each of my friends to let them know how grateful I am for them!
It’s just about the timing of it all. There’s nothing wrong with waiting to decorate for Christmas until the end of November, once Thanksgiving has passed. I mean, isn’t it just a bit disorienting when you walk into what you think is a warm, cozy, fall Thanksgiving dinner, and you’re instead bombarded by Mariah Carey screaming that it’s time?
So, despite what the Christmas lovers may say, withholding Christmas decorations is not equivalent to the erasure of the holiday. It is merely about making sure every holiday gets what it’s due. Why not take the opportunity to celebrate everything this season has to offer? Why dismiss Thanksgiving when it has just as much to offer as Christmas? Think about the holiday joy, quality time with loved ones, decorative displays, and delicious food. There may not be movies or music to go along with it, but nothing can beat the laughter that rings out at a Friendsgiving dinner.
Don’t get it twisted, readers. Not wanting to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving is not being anti-Christmas; it’s actually being pro–holiday joy. Enjoy every moment of the season of gratitude while it lasts (or I’m sure you’ll end up on Santa’s naughty list come December).
Samantha Phan: No, it can’t come too early!
Fall Quarter is hard. It always follows a carefree and relaxing summer, so those first few weeks of adjustment are shaky; it takes a while for me to get my sea legs. When I finally do, it’s a relief — that is, until midterm season starts. I have exams every other week, so I spend all my time at the library (if it’s open) or studying alone at my desk, any moment of tranquility stolen from me. By Week 6, the seasonal depression hits: the sun goes down at 5 p.m., test grades are released, and there’s an unsettling chill in the air. Come Week 7, I’m all burnt out.
But then, I see it — the sun peeking over the horizon, a candle’s flame in the dark night. A trace of hope that, with a deep inhale, smells faintly of gingerbread and peppermint. Strings of multi-colored lights dance in the distance. Department stores, Instagram ads, and neighborhoods with strong HOAs have all decided: It’s Christmastime.
Week 8 seems much less bleak with a Santa hat on my head. It’s the home stretch, and I am dashing through it on a one-horse open sleigh. The misery of Week 9 and 10 are nothing when, every time I step outside, I am reminded of the love and joy that Christmas brings. Each decoration fills me with nostalgia, reminding me of my aunt’s apple cider or my mother’s banana bread. Who cares that it is still November?
Of course, there are some people out there who do care. A lot. “It’s too early,” they cry, clutching the remainder of their Halloween candy and admiring their store-bought frozen turkey. “Already?!” they exclaim, scowling at the red and green displays at Target. I’ll be honest: I understand their frustration. Early November does seem a bit too soon, considering that Thanksgiving has yet to arrive.
However, I implore these nay-sayers to think about the greater good. While I would love for Thanksgiving to have its moment, such a homey affair does very little for the depressed Week 7 college student, especially when compared to the lightning strike of joy that is Christmas. Decorating a tree, making gingerbread houses, and opening presents are memories that many of us look back on fondly, giving us the bursts of energy we need to finish Fall Quarter on a strong note. Thanksgiving, a holiday known for arguments and eating way too much, does not have the same power. We need reindeer and cheer to push us through, not a turkey-induced food coma.
So, if you find yourself questioning the logic of Christmas lights in November, ask yourself: Do I want to be a cynic, abstaining from the Christmas spirit out of turkey-related pride and love for a mediocre holiday? Or, do I want to usher in the most festive season of the year, even if it’s a little early? Because, while it may seem a bit bizarre, department store decorations and a dead tree in my living room lift me out of even the deepest of mid-quarter funks.
If you love yourself, and you love Christmas, don’t let anyone tell you it’s too early to celebrate. Bask in the lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Inhale that sharp whiff of pine. Spread out your hands in the middle of that Target and sing at the top of your lungs, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” I’ve done it, and the spark of joy I felt drowned out any regrets. Whether Thanksgiving has passed or not, I beg of you, bring on the merriment.
