Christmas music sparks the hottest debate: Change my mind

As “The Christmas Can-Can” says, “Christmas season, starting sooner every year.” The stores had their first Christmas trees on sale before September was over. Decorations and gifts stack the shelves as Halloween comes and goes. Now, November has arrived, and Project Christmas is in full swing. The dates get earlier and earlier every year, but one date is secure. The radio does not play Christmas music until 12:00 a.m., the day after Thanksgiving. A wonderful tradition idea would be to stay up on Thanksgiving Day until midnight to hear the first Christmas song on the radio.

We have reached a new era when the radio is becoming more and more obsolete. Streaming platforms have taken mainstream for how we listen to music. We are not controlled by the radio anymore. We can play Christmas music whenever we want. This is where the debate begins. Most people agree that Christmas music is seasonal and should not be played year-round. Then when should the “season” begin?

I come from a snowy state, and we take Christmas very seriously. The Christmas Countdown has been pinned on my browser since the 100-day mark. I spent the evening of Sept. 30 creating my Christmas playlists, so they were ready for Oct. 1. Since then, I have been listening to Christmas music nearly non-stop. I listen while walking to the cafeteria, doing homework, driving around and even while I write this article. Why deprive myself of the serotonin Christmas music brings me? I won’t get tired of it.

I am a strong exception to the majority (so my friends have told me). My solution to this is to ask around campus, including both staff and students. My anticipation of answers was incorrect. I expected a variety of answers. Here are my estimated results:

About 75% believed that December was the ideal time, starting Dec. 1 (What do they listen to on Black Friday?!). Twenty percent believed that Thanksgiving Day should stand alone and then Christmas music was acceptable. The others had opinions ranging from early to mid-November dates. My favorite and most detailed response came from Shelby Jongema, a junior in business administration: “I think you should start listening to Christmas music while you’re doing the dishes to clean up from Thanksgiving dinner.” That’s an ideal way to keep Thanksgiving special and to jump straight into the Christmas season.

Evaluate your thoughts and decide for yourself when your right date is. Do not be influenced by your friends, your parents or me. This decision should come from your soul.

When you do start listening, you should check me out on Instagram @sincerely_lise. Starting at 50 days until Christmas, I will be posting a new Christmas song recommendation each day until the big day. I would also love to hear your recommendations! New music is always great.

Merry Christmas!

By Annelise Jacobs