By Randall Elvin · Staff Writer
From “Feliz Navidad” to “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” everyone knows the popular songs that play in all places during the winter season, from grocery stores to home speakers.
For some, it’s a joyful sign that holidays are near, while for others, it’s a symptom of Christmas’ commercialization attempting to jump outside of its traditional timeframe at the end of the year.
Here at Grove City College, opinions are mixed, much like the weather. Some love to hear the jingling of the bells, while others prefer a silent night.
So, when is listening to Christmas music acceptable?
Fan-favorite Parkhurst lady, Deli Deb, shares the belief that Christmas music should wait its turn. “It has to be after Thanksgiving,” she explained. “Christmas shouldn’t overshadow Thanksgiving — people need to be more thankful anyways,” she insightfully added with a smile.
Senior Savich Chapman offered a laugh and a reminder that Thanksgiving isn’t without its own soundtrack. “I hear people complain about how there is no Thanksgiving music, but they ain’t never listened to ‘Alice’s Restaurant,’” he said. Thanksgiving music does exist, but most people don’t resonate with it.
In direct contrast, sophomore Abby God said, “Christmas music can be listened to throughout the fall.” Many would consider that a hot take, citing that fall is far too early.
Sophomore Jackson Van Zyle takes a more traditional, faith-based approach. He commented on Christian Christmas music saying, “That’s great that they are celebrating the birth of Christ all year long.”
Yet even he thinks that secular Christmas music has its appropriate time after Nov. 30, coinciding with the beginning of Advent. “Traditionally, that’s how people have celebrated Christmas, and if it isn’t broke, there’s nothing to fix.”
However, not everyone agrees, and students hold different views that affect their stances in this classic debate.
For example, junior Simon Miller sees it simply as a matter of setting.
“I feel like personal listening in your own car or headphones is fine anytime. But playing it in stores or around groups of people should wait until after Thanksgiving.”
This approach captures a compromise, as early Christmas music enjoyers can still listen, albeit privately.
There is another camp of thought that has yet to be mentioned. Christmas is known for candy canes, presents and snow.
The first day of snow is not a set day on the calendar, so it provides plenty of days that could kickstart the Christmas tunes.
Senior Leah Morgan states that “It must be the first snow to listen to Christmas music.”
Now that raises the question, what if there’s no snow? Without snow, would there be no Christmas music until Christmas day? It’s silly to think that the weather dictates the timing, but emotionally, it can feel right.
Christmas music captures a longing for warmth in the cool air and even more so warmth in our hearts.
It’s the sound of joy ringing through the cold. Whether you choose to play Christmas music early in November, late December or in between, Christmas music finds its way to us at one time or another.
