The second the calendar reads November 1st, I set up my tree, put on Christmas pajamas, blast my winter playlist, and queue a Hallmark marathon. Much to my surprise, this year my festive frenzy caused quite a debate. While some agreed with my enthusiasm, others protested that it was too early, and the holiday season should start at the earliest after Thanksgiving, some even pushing it back to December 1st, calling my enthusiasm on Nov 1st “criminal.” Given the gravity of the situation, I took it upon myself to solve the heated debate once and for all.
Digging into this topic, I became curious about how people approached the holidays in the past. It turns out, the rush to celebrate wasn’t always part of the tradition. According to Britannica, the modern Christmas tree tradition started in Germany, and up until the 19th century, they were typically put up on Christmas Eve. The celebration and festivities actually happened during the 12 days after Christmas. In the 19th century, retailers began introducing seasonal promotions, such as November sales and Advent calendars, to encourage increased consumer spending. The “holiday spirit” starting in November is essentially a product of commercialization.
Yet, evolution rarely bows to tradition alone.
The sad truth is that once the temperature drops, our mood often follows suit. In the midst of flu season, late-night studying, an overwhelming amount of assignments piling up, and winter depression, many Tafties’ defense mechanism is their holiday spirit. Moreover, many students argue that starting the season earlier extends the enjoyment and happiness. The longer we wait, the greater the anticipation becomes. In the wise words of Eleanor Lemon ’26, “Why wouldn’t you want more time to celebrate?”
However, many people still prefer the traditional approach. Students who stick to the conventional method argue that celebrating so early loses its magic. Those who are overwhelmed with the demands of school and the heaviness of winter might actually find it difficult to embrace holiday cheer too early, preferring to save it for when they can fully enjoy it. In addition, when it all begins in November, by December 24th, some may already feel worn out by the festivities, robbing the day itself of the magic it deserves.
After evaluating both sides, I realized this debate reveals more than timing; it shows how we hold on to joy in different ways. Ultimately, there is no single right time. Whether you throw on your Christmas pajamas the minute after trick-or-treating or you wait until later in the season, either is fine as long as you’re happy. Don’t feel pressured to unleash your holiday spirit when everyone else does—the holiday season starts once you start to feel it.
