When did November 1 become the official start of the Christmas season? I’m pretty sure it used to be the day after Thanksgiving. Suddenly, Halloween ends, and before the candy wrappers hit the trash, the Christmas lights go up, the peppermint mochas are back, and Mariah Carey has emerged from hibernation.
In one way, I can’t say I mind. Right now, I think everyone could use a little extra light and love. We’ve got the Christmas songs playing in the car already, and I can see the smiles on my kids’ faces as they start thinking about what’s coming…the decorating, the baking, the magic. Those moments make the long stretch until Christmas feel a lot warmer.
But then, the flip side kicks in. The moment those first notes of “Jingle Bell Rock” start, my brain goes into overdrive. I start running through mental lists of gifts, holiday sign-ups, baking, holiday cards, travel plans, menus, finances, where we’re spending Christmas this year, and whether I’m even close to being organized enough to pull it all off. By November 2, I’ve convinced myself I’m already behind.
There’s this strange overlap between wanting to slow down and soak it all in, and feeling like I’m sprinting a marathon that lasts eight weeks.
Early decorating means early planning, early spending, and early exhaustion if we’re not careful. But it also means extra time for the good stuff. The hot cocoa nights, the tree lights glowing while everyone’s home together, and a few more weeks of that contagious excitement that makes the season special.
I think that’s why people are starting earlier. Not to rush, but to stretch the joy. To grab onto something that feels comforting and steady when the world feels a little heavy. Maybe we all need permission to lean into that.
Maybe that’s the upside of the earlier start. It gives me more time to be intentional. To plan the things that actually matter instead of cramming everything into a few chaotic weekends. I’ve started to realize that a slower, steadier build-up to the holidays feels better than a December sprint. It’s not about doing more, it’s about enjoying it longer.
So yes, my Christmas tree will be up before Thanksgiving this year, and yes, I’ll still be slightly panicked about what to cook and what gifts I forgot. But if it means more time for music in the car, more time for cozy family nights, and more time to remember what matters most, then I’m all in.
