Every year, as the October season of Halloween ends and the winter season approaches, people begin to take down their Halloween decorations and begin to decorate for Christmas. Or if you are stores like Target or Hobby Lobby, you might have even decorate prior to the Halloween season. Christmas music begins playing, and that one Mariah Carey song gets stuck in your head for the rest of the winter months. While these songs bring some people joy, they really do bring more harm than jolliness around the Holidays.

Early Christmas music overshadows the magical time of Thanksgiving, a pause before the final stretch of the First Semester and a break before finals week. Marked with delicious food, Thanksgiving is a time of family gathering and stuffing our bellies with Aunt Susan’s special pumpkin pie she only creates once a year. Waiting for Thanksgiving to end to play Christmas music is only appropriate and allows for each holiday to shine bright.

The anticipation of Christmas is part of the mystical period. Waiting until after Thanksgiving, with your whole family and extended relatives to listen to jungle bells for the first time the day after Thanksgiving is part of the season itself. Fast forwarding this moment, and beginning in October, ruins the special time.

Lastly, even though the Christmas season is marked with joy and magic, it can also cause anxiety. Shopping for the perfect present for a loved one, or saving money for gifts can get stressful. Playing Christmas music too early can feel scary and make us rush this beautiful time, turning the excitement of the season into panic.

Christmas music is one of the most special parts of the Christmas season. Singing jingle bells around the fire, or while it’s a winter wonderland outside, is an important part of the holidays. However, it’s vital to wait till after the Thanksgiving season to enhance its magical effects. Let’s give every holiday its own spotlight on our calendar and save “Rockin’ around the Christmas tree,” for its much needed appreciation.