Does the Christmas season start on Nov. 1 or after Thanksgiving?

This is a question that divides families and children all across the country. One side says that as soon as Nov. 1 hits, we should go all out on Christmas decorations and festivities. The other argument says that we aren’t acknowledging an entire other holiday, Thanksgiving, if we start celebrating on Nov. 1, and Christmas is still two months away to start thinking about it.

I grew up in a household where my parents say Christmas starts after Thanksgiving, but for years, the only time we had to decorate the house was before Thanksgiving around Nov. 1. Although a trivial matter, this provided me with a split decision on the matter.

After thinking about it and what I did this year, I came to the conclusion that I think Christmas season starts on Nov. 1, despite what my parents say. The start of the month feels like winter and snow starts to fall; everything associated with Christmas. Shopping centers and holiday sales seem to agree with me, as they all start their holiday planning, advertising, specials as soon as the date hits.

Similarly, present shopping needs to happen around this time, and how can you go buy wrapping paper, gifts, and Christmas labels and not think it’s appropriate to start celebrating?

My house was already decorated, I was making hot chocolate in my Christmas mug, and I was playing Christmas music. Thinking about Christmas provides happiness, joy, and good will to me, and even if it isn’t the most practical or reasonable, I would like to feel more joyous as soon as I can, which is another reason why I stand in this position.

While I understand that not all people celebrate Christmas and for certain groups of people, it could be seen as annoying to start a holiday almost two months before it actually happens, it makes me happy and excited for the coldest and most stressful months before break. It gives me something to look forward to and relish in the moment without it passing too quickly.

Other students disagree. “I definitely think the season starts after Thanksgiving for sure. After Halloween, the focus should not be shifting to the Christmas season yet because Thanksgiving hasn’t happened yet. After Thanksgiving it’s officially Christmas season and let the trees and decorations be put up,” senior Hope Safai said.

Another student is opposed to a Nov. 1 start date. “Christmas starts after Thanksgiving because before is just too early,” senior Katie Bowman said.

However, in the grand scheme of life, this argument doesn’t hold any weight. Whenever you believe Christmas season starts, I think we can all agree that having spirit for either holiday, looking forward to seeing our families, and showing love with thought that goes into a gift should be celebrated.