Christmas wishlists change, but there is one question that sparks debates every year: how early is too early to start celebrating Christmas? At Aliso Niguel High School, there are varying opinions, but whether it’s early Nov. or late Dec., the timing often reflects personal traditions, family customs and how individuals define the meaning of the holiday.
“I like to start celebrating right after Halloween,” said Deepashree Subedi (10). “So Nov. 1 is when I like to start to decorate.”
For students like Subedi, the excitement of the season starts early. The shift from pumpkins to peppermint is something they look forward to, and the extra weeks of Christmas spirit can make the long stretch before winter break a little brighter. Decorating early is a way to bring joy and excitement to everyday routines, and for many students, it helps them get into a festive mindset while also easing the stress of schoolwork and tests to wrap up the semester.
This is not the case for everyone; however, as some people like Vickie Duran, a guidance clerk, prefer to separate the holidays.
“I think when to start celebrating Christmas is a personal preference,” said Duran, “I personally start putting up decorations after Thanksgiving. I like to separate the holidays.”
For people like Duran, classifying Thanksgiving as its own holiday without Christmas decorations up yet allows for some time to slow down and appreciate what each season has to offer before jumping from one to the next. Waiting until after Thanksgiving can also make the Christmas season feel more special because it doesn’t overlap too quickly with other holidays. It’s a way to respect each celebration and holiday while still looking forward to the excitement of the next.
That balance between excitement and patience is something that counselor Mrs. Whiteside said is a big part of how she and her family approach the holiday season.
“I don’t decorate way early because for me, Christmas isn’t about getting, it’s about giving,” she said.
Whiteside takes on a more traditional perspective, focusing on the deeper meaning of the holiday. For her, gifts and presents are not her main motivation when it comes to Christmas.
She adds, “For me, it’s more about the gift that I received as a result of why I believe in Christmas.”
No matter when people start celebrating, the holiday season holds significance for everyone in many different and personal ways. Some students and staff enjoy putting up lights, listening to music and decorating mid-Nov. to bring a festive feel to their daily routines. Others prefer to wait and give each holiday its own separate moment and appreciate what each one has to offer while focusing on values like family, giving and the traditions that matter most to them.
Either approach show that celebrating Christmas is about making the season meaningful in a way that feels right for each person, which makes it feel more unique and special. Ultimately, what makes the holiday season more memorable is not when someone starts hanging up lights and putting up their tree, but rather the joy, connection and shared experiences.
