As soon as Halloween ends, preparation for Christmas begins. Starbucks rolled out their holiday drinks on November 4th and with that white lights began appearing over town, preparing the community for the holiday to come. Holiday-themed commercials begin popping up in between the nightly news claiming items that must be on a child’s Christmas list this coming season.

However there is a holiday in between that tends to be forgotten, Thanksgiving. Other than the three days off of school or work the holiday grants, the spirit of the holiday seems to be almost forgotten. It seems that the entirety of November, excluding the 25th (which is Thanksgiving), is devoted to Christmas preparation. The running debate over when the appropriate time is to begin Christmas celebrations is one that holds passionate opinions and arguments.

Some students at CdM do not seem to care when the decorations go up. Sophomore Matt Wood shares that he, “[does not] really like Thanksgiving so [he does not] care either way.” Other students look forward to the spirit of Christmas and the joy it brings. Junior Sarah Decker shares, “[She] honestly doesn’t care when the lights go up because they make her happy.” People seem to be more giving during the holiday season and Allison St. John in an article published on KPBS in 2014 claims that increased empathy during the season moves people to donate who under different circumstances would not. This heightened spirit of giving comes in turn with the widespread joy many enjoy during this season. On the other hand, some enjoy the season and decorations because it reminds them of times passed, one of those being junior Megan Swastek who shares that, “the memories and the Christmas spirit makes me happy.” Christmas lights and celebrations tend to remind teenagers of sentimental memories made when they were much younger, as well as old traditions long forgotten. This is why so many tune in to Christmas cartoons such as, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Charlie Brown Christmas”.

Although it is important to remember and celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving, many are inclined to jump straight to Christmas because it brings them joy. In a culture where anxiety and depression rates are skyrocketing, people are looking for ways to find joy and unlock memories that remind them of simpler times.