As soon as Halloween ends, it seems like the holiday season is rapidly approaching. Christmas decorations start popping up in stores, often before we even get a chance to enjoy Thanksgiving or even Halloween. From the moment October is going to end, the aisles that were once filled with spooky Halloween decorations are quickly overtaken by twinkling lights, oversized ornaments, and festive trees. While some enjoy the extended holiday spirit, others wonder why Christmas seems to take over so early each year.
Stores know that Christmas brings in huge attention, and starting early is an effective way to kick off the holiday shopping season. Stores want to ensure their customers have enough time to pick out their gifts, decorate their homes, and even take part in days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. For most businesses, the sooner they set the Christmas spirit, the better for the shoppers. This early arrival of decorations creates a sense of urgency, encouraging customers to shop early before the season gets too chaotic.
Laurel Thurman (11) shares, “I feel like Thanksgiving should have some time alone in stores as well so that people are reminded it exists.”
For some shoppers like Laurel, The appearance of Christmas decorations in stores as early as November feels too soon. Many people believe that the holiday spirit should be built after Thanksgiving. The big transition from Halloween to Christmas leaves little room for people to enjoy the fall season or fully appreciate the traditions of Thanksgiving. Some feel that skipping over Thanksgiving and favoring Christmas diminishes the significance of the big holiday as it focuses on the gratitude we have for our loved ones. By skipping Thanksgiving, it gets rid of appreciating
Many people feel that it is important to give each holiday its own time to shine, and the presence of Christmas decorations in early November often means there is little room to enjoy the traditions that Thanksgiving brings.
While the retail push for Christmas may make sense financially, it just disrupts the flow of seasonal celebrations. Halloween is barely out of the picture and Christmas takes over the shelves while Thanksgiving is often left behind with its usual autumn decorations sidelined by the rush for winter-themed products. For people who like to savor each holiday, this fast-forwarding onto Christmas can feel like a missed opportunity to enjoy the traditions of the present.
Mr. Puffer shares, “I always think it is important to acknowledge all the holidays but the rush for Christmas is quite reasonable since people prefer it more.”
For many, the early presence of Christmas decorations is a reminder of the joy and warmth that the season brings. Even if it’s a little earlier than expected, the sights and sounds of the holidays have a way of spreading cheer. With the extra time to prepare, families and friends can enjoy the magic of the season longer, making it all the more special when Christmas finally arrives. After all, the holidays are about spreading joy, and even if it starts a little sooner than its usual moment, there is not much harm in letting the festive spirit in early as long as it is always important to remind people that Thanksgiving should not be mixed in with Christmas as it has its own purpose behind it.
