It’s not even November, but I’m already listening to Christmas music.
Yes, Thanksgiving is still a month away, and according to societal norms I ought to wait until after the American-only holiday to delight my ears with Christmas cheer. But one month out of 12 is not enough time to fully enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.
I don’t need to describe the joys of Christmas music. You probably love it just as much as I do, but for some reason you wait to turn it on until Black Friday—the day that epitomizes everything wrong with how we celebrate Christmas.
I’ve already seen Christmas related commercials on TV. For two months our senses are bombarded with catchy jingles and corporations telling us Christmas is about consumerism.
I need Christmas music the minute I see a holiday-themed ad. These commercials sum up what the holiday means to our culture in neat and tidy 30-second clips—stuff and lots of it will make you happy on the morning of Dec. 25.
Christmas music reminds us of the real reason we celebrate the holiday. Christmas carols joyfully describe the advent of the Son of God into the world. Even non-religious holiday music speaks of the joys of being with family and loved ones. Together, these songs tell us the love of God and family will bring comfort and joy on Christmas morning.
These clashing themes cannot coexist. When I see a Christmas commercial tempting me with the allure of possessions, Christmas music reminds me that the holiday is about much more.
Commercials shouldn’t define when Christmas season begins. Neither should Thanksgiving, a holiday that is only celebrated by 4.4 percent of the world. But while you should always keep the spirit of Christmas in your heart, that doesn’t mean you should keep Christmas music on a 24/7 loop 365 days per year.
Think of Christmas music as a delicious five-course dinner. If you eat too much soup and salad at the beginning of the meal, you won’t be able to enjoy the entree and dessert as much at the end of the meal. In the same way, if you listen to Christmas music in July it certainly won’t feel as special in December.
I begin listening to Christmas music in late October or early November. The music I listen to isn’t limited to Christmas music because holiday music can lose its charm after weeks of listening to the same songs.
Variety is important, in both genre and subject matter. I love Christmas carols. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” is a classic. And I enjoy the catchy melodies in Pentatonix’s Christmas albums.
All remind me of the reasons Christmas should be celebrated. All serve as a haven from the stresses of the fast-approaching end of the semester. While Christmas music can be over-consumed, it cannot be enjoyed to its fullest in just 30-some days.
So please don’t be a grinch and tell me to turn off Christmas music for another month.
Mr. Meadowcroft is a senior studying mathematics and journalism.
