Jingle bells, jingle bells — Wait! The great holiday debate

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 27, 2024) — When it comes to the holiday season, is it ever too early — or too late — to start celebrating? Everyone has their way of diving into the festivities, whether hitting play on holiday music, putting up the Christmas tree and decorations, or hunting for the perfect gift for your loved ones.  

The debate over when to kick off the season sparks lively conversations year after year. While some like to get a head start on the holidays months in advance, others want to wait to join the celebration.  

No matter when you choose to start, timing remains a timeless holiday topic that brings cheer and chatter to the season.  

How soon is too soon for holiday tunes?  

For some, when Halloween decorations are packed away, it’s time to cue up Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and let the holiday cheer flow.  

On the other hand, the holiday music purists prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving.  

We went to an expert at the University of Kentucky to discuss this conversation.  

“I think it’s totally up to personal preference as to when to listen to holiday music,” said Martina Vasil, Ph.D., an associate professor and director of graduate studies in the School of Music in the College of Fine Arts. “Most people like listening to holiday music shortly before Thanksgiving, and I have friends who have already decorated.” 

Vasil also shared a few reasons for having jingle bell burnout, including teaching and working on holiday music in the fall, past experiences working in retail during the holiday season and losing a family member or someone close to you. 

She did share her favorites when she wanted to get into the festive spirits.  

“I enjoy the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’ soundtrack and the holiday songs by Paul McCartney and John Lennon,” said Vasil.  

When you hit play, it is up to you, your traditions, mood, and tolerance for repetition.  

When should you start decking the halls?  

There seems to be a common theme in the holiday timeline options — either Nov. 1 or immediately after Thanksgiving. The same is true for our holiday decorators.  

People decorate for different reasons, such as traditions, a specific yearly date, or even the weather.  

Joseph Rey-Barreau, an associate professor in the School of Interiors in the College of Design, helped UKNow understand why people like to decorate.  

“There are various reasons to inspire people to start decorating for the holidays. However, when someone decorates, the timeline is rooted in their childhood holiday traditions. For example, if a person’s family celebrates the holidays early, they will carry that tradition when they are older,” said the architect and lighting designer.  

Rey-Barreau also thinks people who want to celebrate as early as possible can interfere with the Halloween spirit. Meanwhile, people who decorate later want to celebrate individual fall and winter holidays with unique decorations for each one — Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and others.  

Celebrating early can be merry for some or a bauble for others.  

“The pros are the excitement that a person may feel when they decorate early for the holidays, and it gets them into the holiday spirit. Early decorators enjoy having more time to relish the festive atmosphere and check the tasks off their lists before the holiday rush. The cons could be that certain people prefer to avoid decorating early and can get annoyed with people who decorate early,” said Rey-Barreau. 

Whether you deck the halls early or wait until the last minute, there is no “right time” to start decorating. As long as it brings joy and time with family and friends, the spirit of the season shines through. 

How early is too early for the holiday gift hunts?  

Holiday shopping is exciting for many, especially as retailers launch their sales earlier each year — some beginning as early as September or late October.  

These early promotions help spark holiday enthusiasm and allow customers to get a head start on their gift-buying. 

Adam Craig, Ph.D., a Carol Martin Gatton Endowed Associate Professor in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, helped UKNow better understand companies’ strategies to appeal to shoopers during the holidays.  

“Early sales allow companies to capture a longer portion of consumer spending and stay ahead of competitors,” said Craig.  

While early shopping has its advantages, overspending remains a significant concern.  

“One of the biggest problems consumers face is going over the budget,” Craig said. “Many shoppers secure their must-have items early but continue spending when new deals emerge, losing track of their total expenses.”  

Craig shared that retailers often design holiday sales to encourage unplanned spending, further contributing to this issue. To get past overspending, Craig recommends creating a shopping list, setting a strict budget and sticking to both throughout the holiday season. 

Consumers shop early for various reasons. According to Craig, some prefer to get their shopping done early to reduce holiday stress, while others want to secure popular items before they sell out.  

Although inventory shortages have been a concern in past years — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic — Craig reassures shoppers that retailers have resolved most supply chain challenges.  

“Stores now have better systems in place to ensure they stock enough inventory for the holiday season,” he shared, adding that customers can shop with greater confidence this year.  

****

Ultimately, the debate over when to embrace holiday music, decorations or shopping comes down to you. Whether you’re cranking up your favorite carols in November, decking the halls before Thanksgiving or tackling your gift lists months in advance, the key is to find what brings you joy. The spirit of the holidays is about cherishing moments with loved ones — no matter when or how you choose to celebrate.