There is a big debate on when it is appropriate to start celebrating Christmas. Is it too early to start after Halloween, or is Thanksgiving too late? At Glen Rock High School, a majority of the 39 teachers and students who shared their opinions believe that starting Christmas celebrations after Thanksgiving is the best time.
While some start listening to Mariah Carey or Nat King Cole right after Halloween, a majority of those who responded to a form wait until after Thanksgiving to start their festive listening.
65.7 percent of people celebrating Christmas in the Glen Rock High School community start listening to holiday music after Thanksgiving.
Only 25.7 percent start listening to their seasonal tunes after Halloween.
On a larger scale, 64 percent of people believe it is too early to start listening to Christmas music before December 1st, according to the Stylist.
Another thrilling part of the holiday season is decorating because it leaves reminders around the house of the upcoming events to look forward to.
“We usually put up a Christmas display, lights, just after Thanksgiving,” said Mr. Fernandez, a Spanish teacher and coach at Glen Rock High school.
Like Fernandez, 47 percent of people also put up their decorations after Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, 33 percent start decorating in mid December and only 13 percent start decorating after Halloween.
Whether they are putting up a full display and sparkling holiday lights or keeping it simple with a Christmas tree, 97.4 percent of people in the Glen Rock High School community who shared their opinion decorate their house in some way for Christmas.
Waking up on Christmas morning is one of the most anticipated and magical moments of the holiday season. Whether you are writing a letter and sending it off to the North Pole or making an online list using platforms like GoWish or Giftful, most people are putting together a Christmas list.
47 percent of the Glen Rock community report starting their lists after Thanksgiving, but 50 percent start thinking about what they want earlier. 17 percent start making their lists before Halloween, while 33 percent start after the spooky holiday.
With all of the exciting ways that people are preparing and celebrating for the holidays, it is often easy to overlook the most important part of this time of year.
Not only does December bring Christmas, but it also brings the excitement of Hanukkah.
Ms. Bawa, a biology teacher at Glen Rock High School, who celebrates both Christmas and Hanukkah said, “My favorite thing is being with family. It’s such a busy time but it’s so fun because you get to be with everybody.”
While Hanukkah music isn’t nearly as prevalent as Christmas music, there are many other ways that the Festival of Lights can be celebrated.
Some people in our community start decorating for Hanukkah before the 8 days begin, while others start putting up their decorations on the first night.
Arielle Bashan, a Glen Rock student who also celebrates Hanukkah, said, “I celebrate Hanukkah on the first night and I celebrate with my family and I go to my grandma’s house.”
