As Buddy the Elf would say, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” but when is the best time to spread Christmas cheer? Most retail stores would argue that Christmas cheer should be spread as early as the end of October, considering they put out Christmas decorations then. People of all ages argue over this every year without fail:  when should we start celebrating Christmas? More specifically, when is it socially acceptable to start listening to Christmas music? 

Some people would say that anytime after Halloween is acceptable, while others argue that  listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving overshadows the late-November holiday; however, I disagree with this. Thanksgiving doesn’t have a season like Christmas does; it is just one day out of the year where we show our appreciation for what and who we have in our lives. Listening to “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, might seem like just a Christmas song, but if you take a deeper look at the lyrics, they say, “Faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us once more.” The lyrics themselves talk about gathering with your friends and being in each other's company, and isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about too? What better way to get prepared for that than listening to music about spending time cozying up with your family and friends? 

I myself have started listening to Christmas music as early as September some years. I know you might think that is way too early, and I agree with you; however, it goes deeper than just the music. For me, Christmas is a wonderful time filled with luminous white snow, luscious hot chocolate, lavish cut-out cookies, and loving family. Christmas music evokes these feelings anytime I listen to it, even in September. As the sound of sleigh bells slip into my ears, visions of sugar plums might dance in my head, but so do fast footsteps down the stairs, a gluttonous plate of cookies left by the fireplace, and stockings stuffed to the brim with sweet treats. 

Christmas music is nostalgic. When I listen to “Up On The Housetop” by Gene Autry, it is a reminder of all of the early mornings spent on the top of the stairs, anxiously awaiting the okay from dad to come down and see what Santa left. When I listen to “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole, and the lyric “Jack Frost nipping at your nose” plays through my headphones, it is a reminder of the frostbite I almost caught, year after year, from spending a little too much time building my snowman with my cousins. Finally, when I listen to “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, it is a reminder of my family’s Christmas Eve tradition to watch the movie White Christmas, bundled in blankets on the living room floor, falling asleep before we even make it to the end. Christmas music is a reminder of every Christmas I have had before, and if my Christmases were good, then why wouldn’t I want to be reminded day in and day out of the simple joys I have felt year after year?

If it were up to me, it would be socially acceptable to listen to Christmas music year round not because of Christmas music itself, but because of the memories it holds. I want to be reminded of the gargantuan amounts of Christmas cookies I eat each year. I want to be reminded of all of the letters my sweet little innocent self sent to Santa in the hopes that I would hear him on my roof on Christmas Eve. Most importantly, I want to be reminded of all of the happy times I have had with my family during the Christmas season. Christmas music is my time machine into my memory, so how could I only listen to it for one month out of the year? 

To listen to the songs I mentioned, along with many more, and to get a glimpse into my mind, give my Hot (Cocoa) Christmas Bangers playlist a listen!

November 2022