The holidays are synonymous with stirring up controversy amongst family members.
Endless spats concerning politics, education and employment are a cause of dread for any college student traveling home for festivities.
However, a major cause of holiday contention that is often overlooked threatens to tear healthy families apart.
Of course what I am referring to is holiday music, and how early it should be played.
There are two schools of thought when it comes to holiday music and Christmas carols, the first being that the minute the temperature drops below 30 degrees and the slightest semblance of snow appears, all other music should be cast aside in favor of “White Christmas” and other holiday renditions.
However, in the state of Michigan, the first sight of snow can appear as early as October, and despite the popularity of “The Nightmare before Christmas,” jack o’lanterns and “Jingle Bells” do not mix.
The second and more favorable school of thought declares that any time after the celebration of Thanksgiving is an appropriate time to listen to festive tunes.
A poll conducted by Bustle in November of 2017 showed that 52 percent of individuals believe that Christmas and other holiday music should not be played until after the festivities of turkey day have subsided.
This discussion brings up a separate but just as important point, and that is the idea of holiday decorating.
Typically feelings about this go handin-hand with holiday tunes.
However, supermarkets, craft stores and mall outlets begin stocking their shelves with holiday inventory as early as September.
This of course, sends mixed signals in an already confusing amalgam of fall and winter festivities.
Despite this, I am here to tell you: Do not be fooled.
The same rules that apply to Christmas tunes also apply to decorating.
Of course, it is viewed as an eyesore the minute any holiday-themed decorations or lights are left out into the new year.
However, when inflatable Christmas characters and colored-string lights appear in the middle of October, the same annoyances should be uttered. Do not let the craft stores deceive you.
Just because they begin selling ornaments, trees and candy canes the minute fall leaves hit the ground, it does not mean you should begin decorating.
Now, of course, this is all in good holiday fun, and is in no way meant to dampen any holiday spirits. The debate of “how early is too early?” has been going for years, and there is no definitive answer in sight.
With all of this said, wherever you stand within the age-old debate does not matter. What matters is that the holidays are a time for family and friends, and they are a time to celebrate.
Whether you are listening to holiday music now that Thanksgiving is over or if you have been listening since the first sign of snow, it is important to remember what the holidays are about, and that is family – be it the family you have been given or the family you find.
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