A common trend I notice every year is that Christmas decorations start popping up earlier and earlier, with people putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving even arrives. Stores and neighborhoods are covered and lights and tinsels by middle November, sometimes even late October. While I can recognize that Christmas is exciting, decorating before Thanksgiving simply feels wrong.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that deserves its own moment in the spotlight. It is about being grateful for family, friends and everything we have. When we rush straight into Christmas, we skip over that important opportunity to reflect and enjoy the season of gratitude. Decorating early makes it feel like Thanksgiving does not even exist.
Some might argue that early Christmas decorations bring joy and excitement – I get that. But joy does not have to come at the expense of another holiday. By waiting, we can truly celebrate each holiday for all it has to offer. We should appreciate Thanksgiving, then fully embrace Christmas afterward rather than rushing through the end of the year. That way, both holidays feel special and meaningful instead of one overshadowing the other.
In my opinion, decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving is unnecessarily rushing the season. Let’s give Thanksgiving the respect it deserves, and enjoy it fully before jumping into Christmas. Patience will make the holidays feel even more magical.
