The last three months of the year are, for most, the busiest of the year. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, the mood can be both stressful and joyful.
One of the biggest debates of these finish-line months of the year is the music. When is it okay to start listening to one of the most beloved genres of music out there? When should Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé’s voices begin ringing out through homes across the world?
It’s a question that has been the subject of fiery arguments in the past. Here is what some University of Iowa students have to say on the matter.
According to UI second-year Cameron Kalaway, you can go ahead and start blasting your holiday favorites right now.
“November [is when you can start listening to Christmas music] because it’s the holiday season — got to get the vibes up,” Kalaway said.
Getting the “vibes up” is an important part of the Christmas spirit. However, for some students, the music and the vibes come later. When their Thanksgiving feasts are over, the Christmas celebration can begin.
“Personally, Thanksgiving is when I start listening to Christmas music. This is when my mom typically has all our Christmas decorations up,” Victor Rieser, a UI second-year student, said.
This nostalgia for family time is an essential aspect of the holiday cheer as well. Rieser’s reasoning seems to be a common thread among students.
“After Thanksgiving, it is okay to start listening to Christmas music because it’s too far ahead to do it before another holiday,” fourth-year student Blake Hayden said.
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One problem many students said they have with waiting too long to start listening to Christmas favorites is the lack of spirit and good holiday music that surrounded November’s biggest day.
Halloween has scary movies, trick-or-treating, costumes, decorations, and more. Thanksgiving, though, doesn’t have nearly as much going for it. Thus, there’s a pretty large gap between the “spooky season” and Christmas that most people don’t want to wait for. The holiday spirit so many are looking for isn’t quite there in the eleventh month.
“After Halloween, it is okay to begin listening to Christmas music because Thanksgiving doesn’t have good music,” third-year student Nate Harbert said.
Most people are eager to kickstart the season the second they clear the dishes and send their out-of-state guests on their way after that fourth Thursday of November. Some, however, believe a pause is necessary.
“December [you can begin listening to Christmas music], because it’s not Christmas yet [in November],” second-year student Clare Kelly said.
When all is said and done, there is no “right time” to throw up your Christmas tree and play your favorite holiday tunes. However, whoever you ask, chances are they are going to have an opinion — and usually a strong one.