Is It Too Soon for Tinsel?
Picture this: it’s a crisp October morning, the air smells faintly of pumpkin spice, the leaves are crunching underfoot and you are starting to feel seasonally appropriate in your brand new scarf. You stroll into the shops to grab a bag of Halloween sweets to prepare for the inevitable surge of trick or treaters on the 31st, when suddenly, you are confronted by a glittering wall of Christmas decorations. Yes, before the first pumpkins have even been carved, Santa has already set up camp in isle three. For many, this premature, festive invasion raises an increasingly relevant question; is it socially acceptable for Christmas to begin when Halloween has not even arrived?
Supporters of the early start argue there is nothing wrong with spreading a little spirit ahead of schedule. In an often stressful world, the idea of Christmas can often warrant feelings of warmth, nostalgia and joy – so why limit that to one month? The early arrival of decorations, music and mince pies might simply be a harmless attempt to make the darker months brighter.
There is also the practical side. Getting ready for Christmas in advance spreads out the cost and stress. Shopping early means avoiding the December panic and ensures that gifts are thoughtful rather than rushed. For many, starting preparations early can be a sign of organisation, not obsession. After all, there is something deeply satisfying about having presents wrapped and cards written before the 25th.
However, for others, the arrival of Christmas isn’t so charming, its exhausting. Some argue that the magic of Christmas comes from its anticipation and starting too soon makes the holiday feel less special. If Christmas begins in October, what is left to look forward to when December actually comes?
Halloween, once a proud seasonal event, now feels like a background act in its own month. Pumpkins and skeletons are forced to compete with shiny baubles and excitable elves, creating odd displays which, quite frankly, are neither spooky nor festive – just cluttered. Let’s not also forget about the commercial motivation behind it all. The push for Christmas shopping is not about spreading ‘cheer’, it’s about spending money. The result? We are encouraged to buy more, sooner, under the comforting disguise of holiday spirit.
So is it socially acceptable? Perhaps the real answer lies in between. Yet personally, I don’t think it is and the sales are driven by us. So will you be hanging your stockings in October, or will you stand firm for the sake of sanity?
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