The cold air, the smell of peppermint, and the bright lights hanging throughout town, all indicate the holiday seasons beginning. November is the period between the Halloween and Christmas celebrations, but because it is also the month containing Thanksgiving, many people wonder whether it is appropriate to begin the Christmas festivities during this time. 

Some cultures around the world begin their Christmas season as early as Sep. 1. While this may seem too early for Americans, the excitement surrounding Dec. 25 has led most to begin celebrating at least a month earlier on Nov. 1. 

“See, I love Christmas. I say Nov. 1 [is when we should begin celebrating Christmas]. I kind of just consider Thanksgiving and Christmas to be joint holidays,” Lily Dauer, junior, said. 

One of the reasons people tend to start celebrating so early is because families and friends typically spend the holiday season together baking, cooking, playing games, drinking, and taking part in various unique traditions. These activities bring people closer together and create a warm and cheery environment. The feelings of love, joy, and happiness are all produced just from this one day in December. 

“Christmas is not only the same day Christ was born, but is one of the reasons I get to smile. We have a family tradition of going to my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve then going home the next day with family,” Sierra Cook, sophomore, said. 

This does not mean people celebrate Halloween, Veterans Day, or Thanksgiving any less than Christmas. Though most Americans tend to anticipate Christmas more, the celebration of all these festivities is just as important to people’s cultures and religions across the globe. 

“I am a Christian, so Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus who is our Lord and Savior, and the gifts given are to represent the gift Christ gave us in eternal life, as well as the gifts the wise men gave to baby Jesus,” Hunter Bennett, senior, said. 

Although Christmas differs around the world, it is never too early for many to begin the cheer. Whoever you spend time with, celebrate Christmas how and when you want.