Emerging from an aisle filled with ghosts, skeletons, and other Halloween decor, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” starts playing in the building speakers. In the blink of an eye, the once spooky decorations turn into Christmas trees, snowmen, and twinkling lights. Though it is only November, enthusiastic shoppers are already preparing their homes for Christmas. Many question whether it is too early for the holiday season, while others feel it is just the right time for the cheery celebration. 

“I do not really start celebrating [Christmas] after Halloween myself, but I do not think it is too early, and it doesn’t bother me when other people do,” Isabella Bryant, senior, said. 

The holiday season brings waves of nostalgia, comfort, and happiness to many students. Once Halloween ends, many feel it is free reign to celebrate, viewing both Thanksgiving and Christmas together as part of the same festive season. 

“I love drinking eggnog with my family and feeling the cold crisp air during Christmas time,” Will Brenneman, junior, said.

For many, Christmas is not just a day for receiving presents but a time filled with family and giving. This spirit brings joy and hope to peoples’ lives, making them want to extend this feeling through November. Others may take this extra time to shop for presents both online and in stores. Pre-orders are important because shipping can take a lot of time. Some start the holiday season early to decorate, have an excuse to make festive cookies, and sing carols. 

“My holiday shopping will be proven much more difficult than it has been in the previous years with COVID-19,“ Lilly Schwartz, freshman, said. 

Another part of a prolonged festive period is the music. Shoppers began hearing holiday music at stores immediately after Halloween. Some see this as a blessing, others a curse. Although Christmas music can be repetitive and long, it only comes once a year with the appropriate Christmas season.

“I mostly like Christmas music when it is in season though some of them can be just catchy to listen to during the rest of the year,” Kasey Hinkle, junior, said.

Not everyone feels the Christmas spirit as early as others. Many feel November is too early for celebration. Pre-Thanksgiving, Christmas celebrations can be a controversial topic. 

“I think people should wait until right after Thanksgiving to do Christmas stuff because Thanksgiving is a special  holiday itself,“ Joseph Lago, sophomore, said. 

Though Thanksgiving is frequently overshadowed by Christmas, that does not make it any less loved. Sharing thanks and hope this year is more important than ever due to the great losses everyone has suffered.