A topic that is heavily debated in my family is whether we put up our Christmas decorations after Halloween or wait until after Thanksgiving. When asking around, I have found that many others face this same dilemma.
There is only one right answer. The second the clock hits midnight on Oct. 31, it is Christmas time.
Now, I may be biased because Christmas is my favorite holiday, but I think that getting in the spirit early makes the whole season feel warmer, happier and more manageable. November is already gloomy, the weather gets colder and daylight disappears faster every night. So why not bring some Christmas joy into the mix to balance the moods?
Putting up the tree on Nov. 1 gives me something fun to look forward to during a stressful point in the semester. Walking into my house and seeing twinkling lights instantly lifts my mood. There is something magical about soft lights, cozy blankets and beautiful ornaments that cannot be duplicated by any other atmosphere.
On the other hand, of course, there are strong Thanksgiving defenders, people who believe the holiday deserves its own time and space before it gets overshadowed by Christmas. I respect that perspective, but the thing is, the Christmas decor does not cancel out Thanksgiving. It enhances it. Try telling me a turkey dinner wouldn’t taste better with a soft lit room with a beautiful tree in the corner. It almost sets the vibes like a fancy restaurant. Who could deny this pleasure?
Also, decorating early means you get the full benefit of the decor. Why spend hours untangling lights and hundreds of dollars on decor for a couple of weeks? If we have to overcome all this trouble, we might as well enjoy it for around eight weeks.
Another point that early decorators don’t like to admit is that it is way less chaotic. Once December rolls around, things come up, such as finals, travels, plans, parties and family get-togethers. By the time all these things are scheduled, it leaves a small amount of time to decorate and have fun with it.
At the end of the day, Christmas decorating is about the happiness it brings. Whether you start when the clock strikes midnight on Nov. 1 or you wait until after the last bite of pumpkin pie, the purpose stays the same. Christmas is about creating a space that feels warm, comforting and festive. For me, though, there is no such thing as too early. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and decorating early gives me a rush of sweet and homey feelings that I hope everyone can experience.
So yes, on Nov. 1, I put up my Christmas décor, and I unapologetically welcomed the Christmas season into my home.
