Halloween is over, Thanksgiving isn’t here yet and finals are slowly creeping up. November feels like one long wait for winter break. So instead of sitting around counting down the days, I’ve decided to make the wait a little more enjoyable by starting Christmas early.
IT’S TIME!!!
I actually do love Thanksgiving. Some of my fondest memories were made during the month of November and I absolutely love being around my extended family. But when November rolls around, I’m also excited for Christmas. I’ve always thought of Thanksgiving and Christmas as one big holiday season, and I love the movies, music and everything else that comes with it.
My Christmas Movie Marathon
One of my favorite ways to get into the holiday spirit is watching Christmas movies. I will always rewatch classics like Elf, Home Alone and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Then there are movies like The Holiday and The Princess Switch. I’m drawn to the cozy winter settings, romance and warm atmosphere. There are also so many older movies I’ve been meaning to watch, like Love Actually, Serendipity, While You Were Sleeping, When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle. I’ve always found older movies especially comforting because they have a different feeling to them. Honestly, I think a movie doesn’t even have to technically be a Christmas movie for me to count it as one. If it has a warm, homey feeling and makes me think of family, friends, love and winter, I consider it a Christmas movie.
https://www.hercampus.com/school/bentley/christmas-movies-to-watch-this-holiday-season/
Christmas Episodes Are Even Better
I might even enjoy Christmas and winter episodes of television series more than Christmas movies. There’s something about seeing your favorite characters experience the holidays. You get to see their families, friendships and traditions, which makes it feel like you’re spending the holidays with them.
One of the best examples for me is Gilmore Girls, especially its Christmas episodes. Seeing Stars Hollow covered in snow gives these episodes such a warm and cozy feeling. Some of my favorite moments are Luke building Lorelai a skating rink in front of her house and teaching her how to skate, the horse-drawn carriage rides through the snow and the moments when Lorelai waits to do Christmas-related activities with Rory after Christmas because she wants to experience it with her. And how could I not mention the iconic line. “I smell snow”?
I also love the Christmas episodes of Friends. The episode where Joey sells Christmas trees is one of my favorites. Phoebe feels offended by people throwing the “ugly” trees away, and that is why Monica and the others decide to buy all the rejected trees as a surprise present for her. And, of course, there is the Holiday Armadillo!
Lastly, I love the Christmas episodes from Gossip Girl, especially from season one. The Christmas episodes from the first season have such a warm and magical atmosphere. Seeing New York during the holidays, with the Upper East Side covered in Christmas lights and Blair’s house decorated for the season, makes the city look completely different. Watching these episodes makes me want to experience a New York Christmas for myself someday.
https://www.hercampus.com/school/unh/best-christmas-episodes-to-watch-this-holiday-season/
Yes, I’m Listening to Christmas Music Already
I always find myself going back to the classics like “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Last Christmas.” “All I Want for Christmas Is You” officially marks the start of the Christmas season. I already know Mariah Carey is waking up from her hibernation.
There are also Christmas tracks from my favorite artists, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande. Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” and “December” are probably my favorite Christmas songs, and I always come back to Justin Bieber’s Under the Mistletoe around this time of year. I also really like “Santa, Can’t You Hear Me” by Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande. Then there is Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next,” which isn’t even a Christmas song but feels like winter. I still remember opening YouTube on my computer and watching the music video on a crisp winter morning in 2019. It references iconic films, like Mean Girls, with its winter talent show which is another reason it feels like Christmas.
https://www.hercampus.com/school/virginia-tech/
I Love the Holiday Atmosphere
Although I don’t decorate my own house for Christmas, I really enjoy seeing other people’s decorations. Living in the DC area makes this especially fun because there are so many holiday events and places to see Christmas decorations. Even something as simple as visiting the mall which is decorated entirely for Christmas gives me a lot of joy. What I enjoy most is seeing the lights and decorations and watching everyone get into the holiday spirit. There’s just a different feeling in the air. People are excited to see their families and have something to look forward to.
Maybe I’m Just Ready for Winter Break
I think this might be the real reason I start celebrating Christmas early. I’m tired, the semester feels never ending and winter break feels like a reward waiting at the end of it. A Christmas movie, some holiday music or seeing decorations on my way home makes the wait a little easier. But it’s more than just wanting a break. I love this season because it means spending Thanksgiving with my family, seeing my cousins and revisiting the movies, music and memories I’ve loved for years. Thanksgiving and Christmas don’t feel like separate holidays to me. They blend into one season of family, traditions and memories. So yes, I might be starting Christmas a little early. Getting in the Christmas spirit makes November a little more enjoyable, but I still love Thanksgiving too.