Ho Ho Ho! Now that Halloween is over, it’s time for the most wonderful time of the year! That is, at least for retail stores, and yours truly — please don’t hate me!
I know many people need a little transition time from spooky season to holly jolly land, usually during that little chunk of time for Thanksgiving. However, some things are just too exciting to wait for. I, of course, respect everyone’s holiday timelines and understand that some people enjoy the month of the turkey. That being said, I have been known to express my love of the winter holidays a little too early … particularly through my outfits.
My earliest memory of my Christmas fashion habits began in middle school. I don’t know what prompted me, but I decided that I love Christmas and was going to make it everyone’s problem. As early as the day after Halloween, I started a streak of wearing solely Christmas-themed clothing all the way from November to Christmas.
The next year I started at 70 days, the next at 80, and I kept going until I ended up wearing Christmas outfits from the first of September until December during my Junior year of high school. It started as just me being silly and having some fun, but as I got into high school and made a name for myself, it became less about my love for Christmas, and more about the standard I set.
I considered stopping, but the times when I wore less “in your face” Christmas outfits, I had people come up to me asking what happened to the holiday outfits. I kept up my streak, partially for the bit, but also because I thought it could have been deeper than a silly little outfit trend. I settled on the theory that “if someone sees me, they are going to either love the holiday spirit or hate me. Either way, it gets their mind off their problems for a second.”
If someone sees me, they are going to either love the holiday spirit or hate me. Either way, it gets their mind off their problems for a second.
It surprised me how many people will use clothing as a way to put others down. Looking back, I think it’s interesting to look at the kinds of reactions I received. After over seven years of unintentional social experimentation, I can categorize the reactions I got into three main categories.
The Hype Ups
These are the people who were just excited — either from loving the holidays themselves, or happy to see someone exhibiting energy. Surprisingly, majority of these people didn’t celebrate Christmas. A lot of my Muslim friends were the most supportive.
I also got people who maybe didn’t understand it at first, but after a couple of weeks, respected and found joy in it. I was the “exception” to a lot of people’s anger at those who didn’t wait for Christmas, simply because of my reputation. A lot of people who had this reaction knew me as a person. To them, I was more than my clothes and they somewhat understood the reasons behind the outfits. They were just happy to see me happy.
This was probably my favorite reaction and the one I strived for. Seeing someone joyful or excited because of you is really cool.
The “looks”
*Side-eye* This was probably the most common reaction I got. A double take and then expression. They varied on the scale of positive to negative. Most negative looks were a side eye or a scoff, often a whisper and point to their friend. The positives were anything from a subtle head nod to a wave and whispering, “love it.” I had some of my closest friends in this reaction category. A fond eye-roll and wave.
The general population doesn’t come up to talk to you if they see you doing something strange, they just react with their body language. I got really used to figuring out if people were subtly making fun of me, or if it was just a genuine reaction that slipped through.
You don’t have to talk to someone to impact their self-esteem. A simple look does enough by itself.
The Grinches
These were the bullies. Those who straight-up scowled and teased me for my clothing choices. I can understand not appreciating someone’s fashion or early holiday-spirit, but I was bumped into lockers, yelled at and generally made fun of.
Probably the most annoying for me was the catcalling. I don’t know why, but I got catcalled twice as much in Christmas clothing as in regular clothing. The whistles, the quips, etc. The weirdest was in seventh grade when I wore candy cane leggings and an 8th grader walking behind me pretended to lick up my legs — with his girlfriend walking next to him.
People are weird, and while I understand my spirit wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, there comes a point where I don’t need to hear your negative opinions. I am going to be me, you are going to be you, and we are just going to have to figure it out.
I could go into so many more details, but I feel like this is a solid consensus. Growing up, my love of holidays kind of put me in a box, and once I was in everyone expected me to stay. Being outside is freeing and just feels right.
I still love Christmas, but being in a new environment has given me a chance to take a step back from my overdone reputation of turning into an elf at the first snowfall. I show my spirit in my socks or pajamas, but can also focus on the parts of my personality with substance. I may be ready for Christmas in September, but savoring the season and letting it build is a lot more fun.
Be yourself, and don’t worry about how others react… But if you find yourself being pushed into a box, don’t be afraid to step out.