The air gets colder, the sun sets earlier, and the fall leaves begin to disappear, but what really determines when it’s Christmas time and thus it’s appropriate to begin decorating? Does it have to be after a specific holiday? When the weather changes? Or maybe once December begins? I have only one personal requirement in order to decorate for Christmas: it must be after Halloween. However, not many people share this opinion. 

Senior Westminster student Whitney Benting believes that early November is far too early to decorate for Christmas. She thinks that “If we celebrate Christmas too early it defeats the whole purpose and you can’t look forward to it as much” 

On the other hand, I believe that decorating earlier for Christmas only brings benefits to those who enjoy this holiday. Firstly, it gives more time for the holiday to be celebrated as well as more time to plan fun events and activities. I found that last year when I decorated for Christmas and began to think of doing festive activities later, I ended up watching no Christmas movies, not seeing any Christmas lights, and not having time to do much if any Christmas related activities. 

The month of December is packed with finals, winter sports beginning, and family coming into town, so if you wait until almost the beginning of December after Thanksgiving to decorate, you’re going to miss out on so many possibilities for holiday fun. So why not begin to celebrate and decorate during the few dead weeks in between fall and winter sports? 

Myah DeRossett, a senior at Westminster reflects on this issue stating that “November is already Christmas time and it gives more time to celebrate. it’s also already freezing outside” concludes senior Westminster student Myah DeRossett.

A second reason to decorate for Christmas soon after Halloween is because of the weather changes. Specifically this year it has gotten very cold very quickly and the weather no longer matches the fall aesthetic once it gets into the 40’s and 50’s. 

Lastly, decorating for Christmas earlier instead of later can help with seasonal depression. As the sun sets earlier after November 3rd and the air gets colder it’s easy to feel gloomy and unhappy, but getting into the Christmas mood will lift spirits and possibly cure the seasonal depression slump.

So give back to your family this Christmas by offering to decorate now.