There’s nothing more uplifting than decorating the Christmas tree, making cookies, drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate and watching holiday movies—except when Halloween was only last week. While Christmas is on the 25th of December, that is certainly not the only day it is celebrated. Many people consider the “Christmas season” to start on November 1, with some stores beginning to sell decorations earlier.
This is far too early to prepare for Christmas. When people get into the holiday spirit over a month or even longer in advance, it takes the excitement and joy away from the day itself. Christmas has already lost its luster when it eventually does roll around.
Starting the Christmas season so early also diminishes the meaning of Christmastime. When people think of Christmas, they may think of icy weather, making snowmen, going sledding, wearing hats, coats, gloves and seeing gleaming icicles adorning the eaves. When we deem it to be Christmastime too early, that aspect is erased. The holiday loses part of its identity if we rush to celebrate it immediately after November begins.
In addition to the diminishing excitement and meaning, starting the Christmas season in early November takes away from Thanksgiving. Although many may consider Christmas far more important and delightful, there is plenty of time for it after Thanksgiving has had its own time to shine and be celebrated.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that should not be overlooked. Children who are currently composing their Christmas lists should first remember all they have to be thankful for, and Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of that.
Once Thanksgiving has come and gone, it is appropriate to take out the Christmas tree and deck the halls. Many consider Christmas to be the most important holiday of the year, and it certainly deserves a long celebration. A month is a suitable time to decorate, purchase gifts, make plans and celebrate the holiday without drawing it out unnecessarily.
Furthermore, Advent begins four weeks before Christmas Day. This means that religious preparations begin soon after Thanksgiving ends, so it would make sense to commence the Christmas celebration the next day.
One might argue that there is no need to wait so long to look forward to Christmas and that spreading the celebration makes the cheer last longer. However, such a long time of anticipation might make the day feel anticlimactic—even if it is wonderful. After all, it would be difficult for one day, no matter how joyous, to live up to two months of excitement.
Christmastime is the most merry, exciting time of the year. However, that does not mean it should be drawn out as long as possible. Instead, we should cherish it while it lasts and make the most of the holiday itself. November can be devoted to Thanksgiving so Christmas is still new in our minds in December, like freshly fallen snow.
