It’s the Great Holiday Debate of Our Time: when does the holiday season really begin? Is it the moment we put away the Halloween candy? Or should we wait for the turkey leftovers to dwindle? This is the time of year when we all try to pin down the exact second it’s appropriate to start blaring Mariah Carey.
The “Day After Halloween” Crowd
You know who you are: the November 1st Loyalists. These folks wake up the day after Halloween like, “Time to pack away the pumpkins and unwrap all the Santas.” Their houses start looking like a Hallmark movie set before you’ve even had time to mourn the last mini Snickers.
And who can blame them? After Halloween’s cobwebs and fake blood, we need a little sparkle! Plus, as they argue, starting early lets them savor every holiday moment (and sip at least 40 peppermint mochas).
The “Post-Turkey Troopers”
Then there’s the Wait-Until-Thanksgiving-Is-Over crowd. They’re all about protecting the sanctity of Thanksgiving—the last pure holiday before Santa takes over the world. These folks see Thanksgiving as a sacred pause, a time to bask in gratitude before the Christmas craze. They hold off on decking the halls, giving thanks for each day they don’t hear “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
According to them, once that last bite of pumpkin pie has been eaten and the Macy’s parade balloons have deflated, then it’s game on. Trees can be trimmed and tinsel tossed.
The “December Only” Minimalists
Oh yes, there’s also the December Purists who argue that the season only truly starts once we flip the calendar to December. They keep things simple, dragging out their bins of decorations just in time for advent. For them, the frenzy of a month is plenty—and they’re happy to sit back and observe everyone else’s November holiday hustle.
But When Should Mariah Carey Defrost?
Mariah is the unofficial queen of the holidays, so maybe the season officially starts whenever she says so. There’s even a little chill in the air when we first hear her hit those high notes. So perhaps, friends, the best answer is that holiday season begins whenever you feel ready to hit play on All I Want for Christmas Is You…
