The onset of the winter holiday season is not defined by December. Students replace the orange pumpkins on patios with the stringing of colorful lights almost immediately when Halloween ends, indicating the true start of the holiday season to be when Halloween is over. Even while fall is in season, buyers spot the snowglobes in aisles and wreaths for sale, encouraging festive participation as soon as possible. Before the weeks of winter holidays — Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah — the holiday season really begins when Halloween ends because people are that ready for it.

Setting the festive mood, holiday menus are released and clocks are set backward, further encouraging many to partake in the festivities. The eager mood of the people is what drives this “early” start of the celebrations. The holidays set this positive and wholesome tone, which people are excited to participate in. Setting up decorations as soon as possible introduces a magical environment: The ornaments and menorahs remind students of the joy the celebrations will bring, motivating them to persevere through their exams. The decorations contribute to the uplifting atmosphere the holiday season invites. The happy mood is what makes the calendar of this festive season come sooner.

The joy of the holiday season is not limited to one month. The series of celebrations begin earlier, inviting the festive mood. The season ranges from Thanksgiving, to Christmas.

The mood is what determines the start of this season, and the mood is created from the early decorating, and the sugar cookie coffees. At the end of the day, holidays are dependent on how people celebrate them.

As the calendar flips past Halloween and into November, many begin to switch into the winter mood, even though leaves are still turning yellow and candy wrappers are still left behind on kitchen counters from the night prior. Suddenly, porches and houses that were previously decorated with jack-o-lanterns and skeletons are entirely decked out with big inflatable Santas and wreaths on every door or window. But in the rush to embrace the holiday season, the charm of the fall season is often overlooked, even though it is one that deserves to be enjoyed to its fullest before transitioning.

Rushing into the winter season takes away from the natural fall rhythm. November brings its own unique atmosphere with the changing leaves and anticipation of Thanksgiving, yet this often gets overshadowed by the pressure to celebrate the holidays prematurely. By waiting until December to bring in winter decorations, people can properly enjoy each part of the year.

Starting festivities and decorating in November can also contribute to burnout during the holiday season. When the decorations go up right after Halloween, the excitement associated with the holidays begin to fade even before the season is supposed to begin. Stretching the celebrations across two entire months dilutes the special feeling that makes the holidays truly meaningful. In addition, November naturally provides a moment of reflection, gratitude and gathering before entering the busy holiday rush. Respecting this pause allows people to enjoy the winter season to its full potential when it arrives.

So while it may be tempting to bring out the decorations as soon as the last piece of Halloween candy is eaten, allowing the holiday season to start in December maintains the anticipation and ensures that each part of the year receives the attention it deserves. And now that December has arrived, it’s finally the time to celebrate the holiday season and start putting up the decorations.