The Christmas Season Debate
Who decides when Christmas begins?
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It’s November, so it’s officially the start of the holidays. Some say it’s time for harvest baskets and pumpkin pie, and others are sure it’s stockings and hot cocoa season. Let’s settle this age-long debate by answering the question, “When is the right time to start celebrating Christmas?”
It may come as a surprise, but many seem to be very passionate about when they believe the start of the season is. As we dive into the thoughts of WHS students, we get to see how their traditions and experiences shape their views. Sophomore Elizabeth Bassett gives her opinion by stating, “I think the Christmas season starts on November 1st! To me, Christmas is a whole season, not just a day like Thanksgiving,” she goes on to say, “There is a lot to do to prepare for it like Christmas shopping and decorating, so why not start early!”
Junior Mia Hilton says, “I for sure think the holiday season starts November 1st.” Mia also gives a few examples of her family’s traditions, “To prepare for Christmas, we put all our decorations up super early! To celebrate we all get together to make cookies and give each other gifts.”
While both Elizabeth and Mia share the same idea, senior Kira Canada has a different one. Kira states, “The Christmas season starts after Thanksgiving because it is the next holiday after Thanksgiving, and that is also when things like Black Friday start to prepare for Christmas.” She also says that to celebrate the season, she and her family put up their tree (the day after Thanksgiving), watch Christmas movies, and go to see the Christmas lights.
After much extensive research, I discovered that there is no true “start” to Christmas. Some think we should completely skip Thanksgiving, and others choose to wait until after to start celebrating. The Christmas fanatics even say that the holiday should be all year round. But, no matter when you believe the season starts, it’s still Christmas just the same. The same magic, hope, and traditions surround it. What’s important is when you start to feel the spirit.
