Alba
Each year, the holiday season starts a little earlier than the year before. Top brands such as Starbucks and Disney both released their holiday collections in early November; Starbucks released its annual holiday menu on Nov. 7 and Disney released its Home Alone collection on Nov. 19. If all of these businesses are preparing for the holiday season, why not start listening to holiday music as well?
Along with large brands, radio stations also started introducing holiday music in November. While radio stations are fading out, many older cars only have audio units with radio. Numerous radio stations, nationwide began playing holiday music in early November. According to Denver News, many radio stations will begin rolling out holiday music in early November. On Nov. 1 Sirius XM released Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Radio as a new festive radio station.
While Christmas is a popular winter holiday in the United States, holiday music itself is all encompassing––holiday music also includes Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and the winter solstice. While these traditions are only days long, they deserve to be recognized earlier and for longer periods of time. Thus, introducing holiday music earlier augments the time we have to celebrate.
Adding on to this, holiday music has been shown to prompt higher levels of happiness and joy, especially at the beginning of standard time, or “falling back,” when many individuals begin to experience seasonal depression. As stated by Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups, listening to holiday music releases dopamine and serotonin, which are the chemicals our brain releases when we are happy. On top of that, listening to holiday music can reduce stress levels, by lowering blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels.
Reveling in holiday music earlier in the season extends the joy and promotes physical and mental health––we’d might as well accept the societal pressures to start celebrating the holiday season early in November.
Ryan
Halloween and Thanksgiving are major holidays that shouldn’t be overshadowed by overeager Christmas enthusiasts. Listening to Christmas music before All Hallows Eve is ludicrous, and in the month of November, Thanksgiving should be the focus. However, there is a severe lack of themed music when it comes to Thanksgiving, and for that reason, I believe Christmas music is acceptable during and around Thanksgiving and late November, as long as Thanksgiving is still properly celebrated.
Dino
Holiday music is a great tradition, but there is no reason to play it before the preceding holidays. Christmas music should only be played after Thanksgiving has ended. Any earlier, while understandable, is disrespectful to the holidays before Christmas, and just doesn’t fit the overall vibe of the fall season.
However, with how early many radio stations are playing Christmas music, I would be borderline accepting of the music starting in early to mid-November. Even then, the music would feel out of place and forced. Something about celebrating Thanksgiving with Christmas music playing in the background doesn’t sit right with me.
Monica
Holiday music is a cherished tradition that brings festive cheer and nostalgia, but its magic can easily be diluted if played too early. Christmas music should start playing a week into December. That way, the music’s special essence remains intact and doesn’t become overplayed or tiresome. This approach allows people to fully immerse themselves in the holiday spirit without feeling overwhelmed by the constant repetition of seasonal tunes. There is no need for holiday music to be played all year around; not every day can be a holiday. By confining the holiday music to a shorter, more focused period, we can preserve its unique joy and make the holiday season even more memorable
