Candid Comment - From Turkey to Tinsel: Is Playing Christmas Music for Two Months a Good Idea?

The day after Halloween, a familiar and often polarizing sound splits the air: the delicate, yet insistent, chime of sleigh bells. I have to admit, I am so glad that I do not work in retail or in radio as an announcer. I would go nuts if I had to endure 2 months of Christmas music.

For many, the transition from spooky season directly into the festive frenzy of Christmas carols is the auditory equivalent of a warm hug. For others? Like me, it's a premature, inescapable, and mentally exhausting onslaught that triggers acute holiday burnout before the first snowflake has even fallen. The question is, does playing Christmas music from November 1st (or at least the day after Thanksgiving) through December 31st feel like a joyous ritual or an act of seasonal madness? My vote, seasonal madness. However, let’s dive into the great festive debate and explore the case for and against the two-month holiday soundtrack.

The Case For: Embrace the Early Joy

If you belong to the camp that believes November is the perfect time to fire up Bing Crosby, you understand the undeniable power of nostalgia and mood setting. Yes, it is nice to stroll down memory lane. 1. Prolonging the Magic The actual “Christmas season” is surprisingly short. By the time December 25th arrives, the decorations come down just a week later. Starting the music early effectively doubles the amount of time you get to spend in that cozy, optimistic headspace. Why confine the best mood of the year to just 30 days? Interestingly, enough, there are people who are so into Christmas that they celebrate it all year. And there are people who really like the idea and feel of extending the season just a little bit longer. 2. The Nostalgia Boost Christmas music is a direct pipeline to childhood memories. The instant you hear "A Holly Jolly Christmas," you’re transported back to simpler times. Psychologically, listening to familiar and positive music is a fantastic stress reliever. In the chaotic run-up to the holidays (shopping, cooking, wrapping), these songs act as a sonic balm. In short, it allows one to remember some of the more funny and happier times in the past. 3. Setting the Intention For many planners and decorators, the music is intrinsic to the process. You can’t properly wrestle with tangled strings of lights or aggressively wrap gifts without a corresponding soundtrack. Starting the music in November helps build anticipation and makes the necessary preparation feel less like a chore and more like a celebratory ritual. Yes, it is true; it is more fun to decorate and wrap gifts with happy Christmas songs as the soundtrack. The Early Starter Motto: "The world is stressful enough. If a two-month supply of festive cheer makes us happier, where is the harm?"

The Case Against: The Road to Burnout

Every time "All I Want for Christmas Is You" starts up in mid-November, someone, somewhere, groans. I do that, like oh no not this stuff for 2 months. Are you kidding me? 1. The Saturation Effect The biggest argument against the two-month marathon is auditory fatigue. When you hear the same 50 songs repeated incessantly for 60 consecutive days, those once charming melodies can quickly turn into nails on a chalkboard. By Christmas Eve, the joy is often replaced by a desperate longing for silence—or at least some non-seasonal jazz, dance, or anything but a Christmas tune. It becomes like, please stop, just stop for many people. 2. Commercialism Overload For many critics, early Christmas music signals the beginning of aggressive consumerism. When the soundtrack starts before Thanksgiving dinner is even planned, it feels less like a celebration of peace and goodwill, and more like a tool used by retailers to hurry consumers into spending. The music loses its sacred, special quality when it’s relentlessly piped into every public space. For those in hard times, seeing new toys, cars and other big ticket items are a reminder of what they cannot get or give to another person. In the past, I have seen my beloved wife, God rest her soul, wanting something that I could not afford to buy her. It is not a nice feeling. And I know she felt the same where I was concerned. 3. Ignoring the Calendar In North America, November is traditionally reserved for Thanksgiving. Critics argue that jumping straight to December’s carols undermines the significance of the preceding holiday, often shoving a harvest celebration into a tiny, overlooked corner. There’s a belief that each season deserves its designated time in the sun. The Burnout Brigade Motto: "If you start the celebration too soon, you’ll ruin the actual party."

The Verdict: Find the right balance

Like most debates, the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. There is no universal "right" time to begin, but there are ways to manage the music to maximize joy and minimize fatigue. 1. The Post-Thanksgiving Pivot For those who respect the calendar but are ready to jump into the festivities, the day after Thanksgiving (or Black Friday) is the psychological green light. This date acts as a clean break, a signal if you will of the unofficial start of the countdown. 2. The Slow Roll Approach If you love the sound but fear the burnout, try a gradual introduction: Early November: Instrumental, classical, or jazz versions only. This sets a festive, sophisticated mood without introducing the heavily repeated pop vocals. Mid-December: Full pop rotation. The floodgates can open for Mariah, Wham!, and Brenda Lee. Christmas Week: Focus on traditional carols and hymns that are less played in public spaces.

3. Respect the Audience If you are listening alone, feel free to crank up the volume on November 1st. However, if you are in a shared space (the office, a family car, or utilizing communal Bluetooth speakers), be mindful. Always err on the side of caution or, better yet, invest in a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Those around you will silently thank you. Ultimately, the goal of Christmas music is to infuse the season with warmth, joy, and connection. If your preferred two-month soundtrack achieves that for you, then don't let the Scrooges tell you otherwise. But if you find yourself humming "Jingle Bells" with a look of existential fear by December 10th, maybe dial it back until the tree is actually up.

As for me, I do not detest Christmas or Christmas music. But, I am also not a super fan of the season either. For me, it is about balance. The start date for me is more like the 10th or 15th of December, and it is in small doses. I am one of those who has had wonderful years celebrating the holidays and other years facing some of the worst times of my life, most notably the impending death of my wife, Darlene, who died 4 days into 2024. Imagine seeing your loved one in the hospital dying during Christmas; it was not fun. And yet, I have had some beautiful experiences. One year, in 1985, I think I was treated to a wonderful experience being a guest of a family who gave me a wonderful gift of being with them and then a lovely food hamper filled with groceries. I was single and unemployed at that time, so that gift and kindness was wonderful. So it is not all bad. You just need to find your middle ground and hold to that, no matter what others think.

Now I want to Hear From You! When do you press play on your seasonal playlist? Are you a November 1st purist, or do you patiently wait until December rolls around? Drop a comment my way, and thanks for reading this post, Happy well you get what I am going for. Until the next post, take care.