DO:
-Listen to Christmas Music (in moderation)
This one is controversial. In past years, I have been strictly against listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving; however, now that I am a college student and need some light at the end of the tunnel, my opinion has changed. Sometimes we need Christmas music in November to remind us that there’s something to look forward to. That being said, listening to Christmas music every day since Halloween is a little overkill. By the time December 1 rolls around, you’ll already be tired of the Michael Bublé Christmas album, and that would be a tragedy.
-Buy Christmas Presents
Obviously we need to be thinking ahead. Christmas shopping can be an all-year-round experience if need be. No one is going to shame anyone for being on top of things when it comes to Christmas gifts. Especially with Black Friday sales starting well before Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping in November has actually become more of a necessity than an oddity. Unless you’re like me and wait ’till the last minute to search for the perfect gift, almost everyone likes to be on their game and start this festivity early.
-Watch Holiday Movies
Holiday movies are a must, but when I say holiday movies, I strictly mean movies that include Thanksgiving as well. Movies that revolve solely around Christmas should be saved till after Thanksgiving. Let’s be honest, no one likes to watch the same movies over and over again. Save your favorite Christmasy movies ’till the actual season has started so you don’t get sick of them before your Christmas tree is up. That being said, Hallmark movies are free rein; you can never get sick of those.
DON’T
-Put up your tree
Putting your Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving hurts my soul. My family has always had the tradition of putting our tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Of course, I may be biased, but putting up a tree marks the official start of the Christmas season. While we may listen to Christmas music and watch holiday movies in November, we all know full-on Christmas doesn’t start until Black Friday. Thanksgiving decorations include pumpkins and pilgrims; pumpkins next to a Christmas tree are just not it.
-Put up Christmas lights
Driving by houses with Christmas lights before Thanksgiving is just weird. I don’t exactly know how to explain it, but I think most people can agree that seeing brightly lit houses in early November just doesn’t sit right. It’s controversial enough to put up Christmas decorations inside in November, but to decorate the outside too—that’s ballsy.
