It’s that time of year when each Buddy or Grinch inside of someone is revealed. When the clock strikes midnight on October 31st, and they crank Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” with a cup of hot chocolate in hand, Christmas pajamas on, and decorating their Christmas tree. Others begin to pack away their Halloween decorations, scowling at all the trees, the lights, and the same classic Christmas songs played on repeat day and night. The one question that’s been debated for years is: Does Christmas get started too early?
Do we need 2 full months of Christmas, or is one more than enough? We surveyed around EPGHS to find out what everyone thought. Almost 60% of students said they put their decorations up after Thanksgiving, 27% said they put their decorations up right after Halloween, and 17% said between the two holidays or something along those lines. Freshman Aven Brown exclaimed, “There is a line between too early and too late. I think after Thanksgiving is the perfect time.” Another freshman, Noah Greene, commented, “I think Christmas should start a week after Thanksgiving, but I don’t mind a little Jingling of the Bells after Halloween.”
The next question was: Is starting Christmas early annoying? Approximately 70% said no, 20% said yes, and 10% said it depended on whether they were being annoying about it. Why would people find early Christmas a problem? Senior Jack Harlan stated, “I believe that if people want to set up for Christmas earlier, then so be it. But Christmas songs should never be played before Thanksgiving. If you start to listen too early, the songs will feel washed down and lose their magic before Christmas even happens.” While some might find overplayed music the problem, others had a problem with decorating too early. Sophomore Noah Boomgarden remarked, “I think people are crazy for putting Christmas stuff up early. You only have to wait for 4 weeks, then it’s finally Christmas. What’s the point in wasting that much time? Make some pumpkin pies, people.”
Some people are the biggest Christmas fans and cannot wait to celebrate. Others would rather savor the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Senior Auggie Hany shared, “It’s none of my business what other people do with their houses, so I don’t really care. I don’t particularly ENJOY hearing about Christmas before Thanksgiving, but I’m not going to be mean about it.”
The most important part about this time of year is that we spend it with our loved ones. I personally believe that’s all that matters. Celebrate Christmas during Halloween, Thanksgiving, or even St. Patrick’s Day. Christmas is just another holiday that brings us even closer to the ones we love: sharing gifts, smiles, and memories for a lifetime. The one thing you should take away is to be kind. It should be a year-round thing, but you should especially be nice during the holiday season. As Sophomore Teagan Tibbs said, “Don’t be the Grinch.”
