The Pen
Let me begin this post by saying that both the Pen and the Cob are huge fans of Christmas but the question of when is appropriate to begin the festivities can be a tricky one and really depends on who you ask.
Shops and Malls? Late September it seems for some, by Halloween for all
Radio stations that insist on playing non-stop Christmas music? November 1st
Me personally, I think somewhere around the 4-6 week period before Christmas is perfectly acceptable for those that love to prefer to view Christmas as a season, rather than a holiday; however I completely understand and respect those who prefer to wait until December has begun before they deck their halls.
I justify my enthusiasm about the lead up to Christmas because of my habits post-December 26th (yes, Boxing Day counts as Christmas of course!) As soon as December 27th-28th rolls around, my Christmas spirit dwindles faster than you can unplug the lights on a Christmas tree. Suddenly the decorations that mere days before made my home feel cozy and spirited now make it feel stifling and cluttered.
The only explanation I have for my 180-degree shift is that this was how it worked in my house growing up. Tree and decorations go up early, tree and decorations come down quickly. In fact, I find people who leave their décor up past New Years as puzzling as those who wonder why I have a fully decked out tree by November 23rd. SO I guess my answer to our Christmas query is that you should get into the Christmas Spirit whenever it feels right for you!
The Cob
Now, Christmas is a time that I love to celebrate, but when is it OK to start getting those decorations out and watching yuletide movies? There are many different theories to this quandary and often these can differ somewhat between men and women, but here is my stance on the issue.
The other day, just over a week ago, I had an appointment just off Oxford Street, early in the morning. I got off at Bond Street station and was faced with the original HMV store on one side of the street and the Disney store on the other. The lights were on, the decorations were at their fullest and the music playing was easily heard from the street. And what was playing? Christmas songs. This was 14th November and it felt too early. However, yesterday, the 23rd, I watched Disney’s A Christmas Carol, not 9 days after, and it felt right. I was ready to begin my seasonal festivities and embrace all that ’tis the season.
There is, what seems to me, a fine line between Christmas spirit rising inside you and the corporate world forcing you to feel Christmassy. That morning on Oxford Street felt as if I was being told to acknowledge that it was Christmas time, and that I should feel festive. The idea of buying presents, money, thinking up good ideas of what to get my eight nieces and nephews, where am I going to spend New Year’s Eve was what came to mind as I walked past the Disney shop and the jingle of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. As opposed to what I now feel: time to spend with my family, the excited faces of my nieces and nephews, Home Alone, David Bowie and Bing Crosby, roast turkey, Christmas trees, all the things that make my Christmas.
It’s fair to say that I am a big child inside and that I hope never to lose that special Christmas spirit, and in answer to the above question, when is it OK to start Christmas festivities? I guess I would have to say, whenever you are ready! But whatever you do, don’t force yourself to wait until December or Christmas Eve, listen to the child inside and think Christmas whenever you want to!
pen and cob 