Think it’s too early for Christmas? Bah humbug.
Get some cookies, turn on the radio, and start decorating that tree; there’s no time like the present!
KC Staff writer is ready for Christmas everything!
November 12, 2018. The day B101.1 started playing Christmas music. To me, a holiday in itself.
I look forward to this momentous day every year, as it is the official start of the best 7 weeks of my year (November 1st is my ‘unofficial’ commencement of the season, but when B101 starts, I know it is then socially acceptable to blast some tunes.)
Many “Scrooges” disagree and feel that any iota of Christmas music, decorations, sweaters, or anything of the sort should be practically outlawed until Turkey Day has come and gone. (Like the Grinch, I think their hearts may be two sizes too small.)
“When there is so much to celebrate already, there is no need to skip over to Christmas. We need to take holidays one step at a time. Live life day by day. In my opinion, before Thanksgiving is too early for Christmas,” voiced sophomore Catherine Cavanaugh.
I absolutely understand why a lot of people feel that Thanksgiving is just as important as Christmas, and it shouldn’t be overlooked. But starting Christmas early doesn’t mean we are forgetting about good ol’ Turkey Day at all. By starting to decorate and get that festive feeling early in November, we can all be in the full on holiday spirit by the time we reach November’s fourth Thursday. (And as a bonus, it can be a practice run for the true feast, Christmas dinner.)
Since most of us feel that the season is ‘the most wonderful time of the year,’ why shouldn’t we celebrate it as long as possible? The warm, nostalgic feeling that sweeps over us can only be augmented by extending celebrations by a few weeks. (You know that you’re going to watch Elf at least ten times anyway, so you might as well start early.)
Don’t just take it from me, for I am not the only wanna-be elf in the pods of our own little workshop we call North Penn High School.
“Christmas time is a joyous event that brings friends and family together. The holidays are all about giving to those who are less fortunate, and that holiday spirit never goes out of season, which means it’s never too early for Christmas,” expressed sophomore Ana Panaitescu.
As Panaitescu hints, the weeks leading up to Christmas often offer a far higher dosage of cheer than the actual day itself. Just imagine it: freshly baked sugar cookies, counting down the days till Santa will be up on your housetop, driving around looking at all the dazzling lights in your area, ugly sweaters! (I won’t even mention the countless mugs of eggnog you have to consume.) There is just no possible way you can enjoy all the season has to offer in 25 days.
To get serious for a moment, there are psychological benefits to celebrating Christmas. Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown says that “in a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to associate to things that make them happy, and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of their childhood.” I think this is especially true is these often dark and divided days. When we wake up every morning to a new batch of (typically) negative headlines, the warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with the holiday season will be welcomed more than ever. I mean, no one can possibly get upset or offended by Charlie Brown or Rudolph!
So as you prepare for Thanksgiving over the next week, put some carols on, watch a Rankin and Bass flick, or fill your moose mug with eggnog.To quote the great Valentine Davies from Miracle on 34th Street, “Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.”