It seems that with the progression of each holiday comes the immediate upselling of the next big commercial event.
We’ve all seen Christmas decor in October, valentines in January, even fireworks for the Fourth of July in April. But honestly, wouldn’t that make life a little more convenient?
While many people would argue that starting Christmas sales in October and even making Black Friday the same day as Thanksgiving before people can recover from turkey-comas is far too much pressure for the average shopper.
I would say this is very helpful.
Take Christmas and money for instance; even if you spent a hefty amount on Halloween, seeing what’s in store both literally and figuratively for Christmas can help you plan your budget accordingly ahead of time.
Certainly, it can be a lot to take in between throwing out pumpkins and being bombarded with Santas at Macys.
But take advantage of the savings being presented to you. Most people are too consumed with the holiday at hand, and understandably so, to pay attention to the next best thing.
But in comparison to Thanksgiving, Christmas definitely weighs heavier on the wallet. A Thanksgiving expense list doesn’t extend beyond a fuller grocery basket and maybe getting a copy of “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”
Christmas however, is full of expense and expectations, depending on how devoted you are to the holiday.
With Christmas, there are a number holiday options.
There’s Christmas Tree Lane, Christmas cards, gifts to buy or even make, food for dinners or office potlucks, and so on. And of course, one can’t forget about the tree and all the decorations and trimmings.
With all of this to prepare for, wouldn’t it be in one’s interest to stock up early?
Most retail establishments will begin marketing for Christmas around mid-October, early November at the very latest. The first sales are usually for trees or house-hold decorations, and it’s best to look into those sales when they begin as opposed to waiting until Black Friday, when promotional sales increase and the items you originally wanted are now gone.
If you can manage to start saving as early as March or May for the holiday seasons, the expense cluster won’t seem as overwhelming when it hits, which is a typical complaint I’ve heard amongst various consumers.
That being said, taking expense out of the equation, what about simply savoring the flavor of the moment?
I say, the whole holiday season is moment to be savored, you know its coming, so why complain?
Even though Halloween is my favorite holiday, I love Christmas just as much so I can’t wait for it to get here.
Thanksgiving passes by so quickly that it almost goes unnoticed, except for the food-baby you develop as evidence of overindulgence.
Halloween is almost a self-serving celebration whereas Christmas is about being with the people you care about and showing how you care.
I personally get really excited seeing obnoxious, plastic trees at the malls and decorations everywhere before Halloween even ends because it gives me something to look forward to.
After months of planning a costume and executing it, early Christmas sales motivates me to start planning things I want to do, presents I want to buy, and to start saving for the inevitable expense.
Sometimes, there is nothing wrong with having “too much of a good thing.”
As college students, we spend most of the year being responsible and dedicating ourselves to the books.
But during the Autumn season – the time of year when we get to bring jackets out of the closet, comfort food becomes the kitchen table norm, and we all get a little bit more time to be with family and friends – we can enjoy one holiday while anticipating another.
Instead of complaining about having too much all at once, why not enjoy it because it’s here?
Perhaps we should take a lesson from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and learn that Halloween and Christmas can coexist and be co-awesome.
Read the PRO side of this debate here.
