2024 has reached the awkward late stage that every year goes through. Fall and winter start to blend, and both season’s holidays fall into each other like dominoes. Yet, despite the scares of Halloween abruptly getting sidelined by the thankfulness of Thanksgiving (and finally the joy of the holidays), everybody seems to have a starting and ending point for the holiday season. It’s a topic of heated debate, and the eagerness of stores to sell you the next season’s goodies only adding fuel to the fire. But, in a collaborative effort, let’s hear opinions on when the holiday season begins for Life writers.
Ben Lassy, Life Editor (he/him/his):
On Oct. 20, 1963, the Beach Boys recorded “Little Saint Nick” at Western Studio in Hollywood, California. How could they record the magnum opus of Christmas music in October? Because it was chilly enough, festive enough and certainly a perfect time to get into the festive Christmas spirit.
I use music to gauge the holiday I’m celebrating. Halloween music is great, with “Spooky Scary Skeletons” and others occupying ‘Hallo-weekend,’ but the music usually gets stale once people put their costumes away. And although I have recently learned about Thanksgiving-themed music, with “Greens, Beans, Potatoes, Tomatoes (You Name It)” by DJ Suede the Remix God standing out, it also doesn’t stick with me.
With temperatures (at least at night) dipping below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in October, that is more than cold enough for me to listen to wintery themes like “Frosty the Snowman” with no remorse whatsoever. Even now, I have my Christmas playlists going on full volume. It’s never too early to feel some of that infectious holiday joy.
I do admit though: The Beach Boys did start recording the rest of the album in June. I don’t know if I can go that far.
Patrick Boots, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his):
The holiday season officially starts when the radio stations switch their music formats, and Santa crosses over Herald Square during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Halloween takes priority during the month of October and November has some other minor holidays. But, once the spooks and ghouls go away, I don’t mind thinking ahead and getting a little in the spirit—though not enough to deck the halls and play Christmas music. The joke is that 24/7 Christmas begins at 9 p.m. on Halloween—walk into any big-box store and you can already see it. Who wants to encounter a six-foot-tall animatronic Santa this early in the year anyway?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is always a good televised memory—you know the air is cool, and hopefully, you’re spending some quality time with family. Maybe later in the afternoon you can watch some football and eat a hearty meal. The leaves finish falling off the trees and the first snowfall is right on the horizon. This is Mother Nature’s way of reminding us to start the ho-ho-holidays—a great way to give thanks, if you ask me. And yes, I know Mariah Carey is defrosting, but remember in her music video, when she’s sledding on the snowy white slopes?
Completely separately, I do celebrate “Christmas in July,” though in the kitschy novelty music kind of enjoyment. Nothing’s stopping anyone from enjoying a candy cane the other times of the year—that is if you can find one for sale. There are some silly songs you can enjoy, but a summertime reminder of the freezing cold winter isn’t everyone’s jam.
As we inch closer to Thanksgiving and December, know that your time is coming! But it’s not here quite yet.
Sarah Barker, Campus Correspondent (she/her/hers):
I’m not a Christmas person and I haven’t been in years. I’m partial to Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. With that, I like the holiday season to stay within its limits: after Thanksgiving and a few days into the new year. But I’m also not here to yuck anyone’s yum. If you want to watch “Home Alone” in the middle of July, go for it. If your Christmas tree is up year-round, who cares, if it’s not hurting anybody? I know this roundtable is supposed to be definitive but honestly, who am I to tell someone when they can and can’t celebrate something?
Bonnibel Lilith Rampertab, Campus Correspondent (she/her/hers):
How should we define ‘the holiday season?’ What is it about and who is it for? Most people only think of Christmas when they think of the holiday season, but there are other important holidays in the season, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
The holiday season is for everyone, even if you don’t observe any of the holidays under the term. It’s a reminder to surround yourself with people you love and care for. You probably can’t escape it no matter who you are; it’s something we share.
The holiday season is a time to share culture and connect. Capitalism wants you to think it starts right after Halloween and especially after Thanksgiving, but I think the real holiday season is in our hearts and is therefore timeless. Or maybe it lives and dies with us. Either way, the holiday season isn’t just a time to celebrate and consume; it’s a time to express and give, however that looks for you. I refuse to let corruption taint this joyous time.
Tomas Hinckley, Opinion Editor (he/him/his):
Let the Christmas season start in December; give it a month of hype as it deserves for being such a special holiday for so many people, but no more than that. You see, a month is a solid amount of time to be dominated by a single holiday. It fits well with the rest of the year, which roughly abides by the same schedule (Halloween has October, November has Thanksgiving, February has Valentine’s Day; you get the point). If we allow it to creep any further past this socially acceptable mark, the real loss is on us.
As Christmas is arguably the most corporatized holiday of them all, the only real goal of extending the “holly jolly” is to get you to spend more money and consume more products. The earlier you start listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, buying special Christmas food and so on, the more the grip of capitalism extends further into your year, getting you to spend more. The Christmas spirit is bought and paid for, and your consent is manufactured through the rosy cheeks of Santa Claus and the dulcet tones of Michael Bublé. Keep it contained within its own time, and no more.
Noa Climor, Campus Correspondent (she/her/hers):
When I first joined this roundtable, I thought that Christmas things should begin in December, as that is the season of Christmas. Upon further reflection and analyzing the state of many things right now, I realized that the holiday season can start whenever it pleases people, so long as it makes them happy. If you are having a tough time right now, and decorating for the holiday season is what brings you joy, go for it! Who am I to decide that this can’t happen on Nov. 1?
This is your reminder that you matter, you are important and that the holiday spirit is all about kindness and community. Decorate for your holiday of choice, bake all the things and create crafts that make you happy.
The holiday season comes when you need it the most, and I think we could all use cheer and community—especially right now.
Maleena Muzio, Campus Correspondent (she/her/hers):
Before answering this question, I must preface what the holiday season is. For the purposes of this roundtable, the holiday season will refer mainly to winter holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza.
Now I as much as anyone, I— an avid Christmas celebrator—am tempted to put up the tree and throw decorations around the house as soon as Halloween ends. However, I have been trying to put a hold on this behavior for the last couple of years. November needs time to live, just as much as the other months of the year do. As you wind down from whatever events occurred during the ‘Hallo-weekend,’ take a couple of weeks to relax before jumping into another holiday.
Get into the Thanksgiving spirit! Put on “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and eat some turkey before worrying about the winter holidays. This way, you will not get sick of them before their season is in full swing!