In the coming days after Halloween many stores around the country have suddenly been cleared out and redecorated to be covered in holiday memorabilia. The shelves are stocked with holiday treats and decorations and the racks are filled with winter themed matching pajamas and slippers. While some feel that the early holiday frenzy is not worth all the hype, and that it is a combination of consumer-driven reasons including retailers pushing products to extend sales and profit, and the constant need to build anticipation and spread out the stress of the season.
The phenomenon, also known as the “Christmas creep”, a term used in The Guardian, allows businesses to maximize profit during a busy season and gives consumers more time for shopping and likely more spending. This could just be because of the rise of capitalism and a need for companies to try to spend as much time as possible with the holiday buzz, which in turn lets them experience the psychological benefits of early decoration and the dopamine boost of preparing for the holidays.
It is better to look on the more optimistic side- after all, during the holidays there comes a time when the majority of the population tries to make an effort to be kinder, and more empathetic towards those in need. It could also partly be because some of the best moments in people’s life happen during the holidays because that’s a time you can spend with your family and friends and really experience the joy and thankfulness that comes with it. Even the social expectations and weight of communities allow for everyone to strive to be a little nicer to those around and let everyone feel that true connection. People are more willing to donate and give a little more to those in need. People are more likely to volunteer and do community service to help their neighbors and those who need help.
Celebrating the holidays earlier gives them a chance to truly show how thankful they are by giving them time to prepare so that everything has a chance to be close to perfect. But the best time of the season is not the decorations and food, but spending time with everyone this time of year.
Food and culture play a major role in how you enjoy the holidays, not to mention the shows and movies that are watched, how decorations are displayed, the snacks purchased- all of it plays a major role into how the holidays look for everyone.
Maybe it’s the air, maybe it’s how everyone tries a little harder to be kinder, but sharing the holidays, listening to the music, the weather causing people to cuddle up closer to stay warm, all of it helps to make every season memorable and something to look back on and forward too.
