The smell of pumpkin and cinnamon still lingers in the air, yet some stores are already stocking shelves with mistletoe—all while Mariah Carey’s infamous “All I Want for Christmas” plays in the background. Can we at least finish eating our pie before the Hallmark channel takes over every screen?
It seems like the Christmas preparations begin earlier and earlier each year. If this trend continues, Thanksgiving might disappear altogether! Thanksgiving deserves more than to remain in the shadow of Christmas. It’s a time to connect with family, express gratitude for the blessings we often overlook, and end the day with a delicious meal and a full stomach. The holiday offers a peaceful prelude to the chaos of the Christmas season.
Following the Thanksgiving feast, Black Friday serves as a perfect transition into kicking off the Christmas spirit. It is most logical to let the Christmas celebrations begin the day after Thanksgiving, as Black Friday sales mark an ideal time to start purchasing gifts and shopping for your loved ones. Half of all shoppers view the price of an item to be the biggest factor in their decision to purchase, so the continuous sales appeal to many customers.
“I think it’s good to have a Christmas list by Black Friday because I start my Christmas shopping on Black Friday for other people,” junior Vivian Lee-Yee said. “I think it’s the best time to buy gifts and get ready for the holiday season.”
Sophomore Charlotte Flandina agreed. “The weekend after Thanksgiving marks when Christmas starts and when people can start celebrating, putting lights up, and decorating their houses.”
But Black Friday isn’t only beneficial for consumers—it’s also a major advantage for many entrepreneurs. The day highlights numerous businesses while driving revenue up for each brand, especially with online brands. Online sales in the last three months of the year are significantly higher than in the first three quarters.
Retailers have used consumers’ excitement for the holiday season to their advantage, progressively releasing their Christmas deals and menus early for profit. Dunkin’ launched their holiday menu on November 1, and Starbucks followed on November 7. How can we pick between pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint mochas at the same time? At this rate, kids might start dressing up as Buddy the Elf on Halloween.
Sophomore Ehren Curry said, “My family has a tradition where we always put up our decorations the day after Thanksgiving. I also start my shopping for my family right after Thanksgiving before anything sells out.”
Despite the marketing benefits, the early holiday promotions raise concerns about losing the true essence of each holiday. The rush to celebrate Christmas doesn’t just merge the holidays, it also reduces the magic of Christmas.
Junior Tomás Mendoza-Peña said it best: “I think it’s fun to celebrate Christmas, but when people start celebrating on November 1, I’m kind of over it before Christmas day.”
Starting Christmas too early can cause burnout, leaving the holiday feeling like a chore by Christmas Eve. If hearing “Jingle Bells” on Halloween stresses you out, you are not alone. Let’s savor the caramel apples and changing leaves before decking the halls with red and green.
Please let the turkey finish roasting and Thanksgiving pass before rushing into the most wonderful time of the year. Wait until Black Friday to whip out your favorite ugly sweater, write your letters to Santa, and put the angel on the tree. Above all, focus on creating lifelong memories with your family no matter when you decide to hang the first ornament.
