The leaves begin to fall off branches, the days become shorter, the red and orange colors signal the season of Fall, but wait, is that Christmas music also in the air? With the holiday season approaching quickly, many places from coffee shops to mall stores skip over the Thanksgiving holiday and begin to play Christmas music as soon as the beginning of November. However, this jump to winter holiday tunes undermines both the season of Thanksgiving and the Christmas season.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Christmas season; it will always be one of, if not my most treasured holiday seasons. It is one of the only times of the year where I can see my extended family and have time to cherish the present moment. During this time, my house is always filled with Christmas music, whether my parents are playing some through the speakers or I am playing a tune on the piano. Christmas music holds a special place in my heart, and I think that goes for a lot of people as well.

However, playing those tunes before Thanksgiving as even started is a disservice to both holidays. Thanksgiving, as the name suggests, helps us remember what got us to that moment and what we should be grateful for. It’s an important holiday that needs to be fully celebrated, not bulldozed over by the excitement of a different season. There’s almost nothing more important than giving thanks to the ones that mean the most to us.

If we were to save the joyful Christmas tunes until after Thanksgiving, it would also make the Christmas holiday more special. Everyone has heard the great Christmas classics. From “Frosty the Snowman” to “White Christmas,” there is a fantastic list of songs to get in the Christmas spirit. However, the list only goes on for so long. As the days go by with the same songs played over and over, eventually, people get tired of the songs, and the magic starts to disappear. The songs that people waited a year to listen to now doesn’t hold the same special meaning. We all love the Christmas tunes, but its also important not to burn them out too quickly.

I cannot wait for the Christmas and winter holiday season. I already want to start the winter break and curl up in a blanket with hot chocolate, listening to the Christmas tunes. This year however, I will pace myself a bit better and first enjoy the holiday of giving thanks first, so that I can better treasure this long-awaited Christmas season.