Last week, Cadenza reviewed the new Justin Bieber Christmas album. Something else that happened last week? Halloween. For years, people have been lamenting the too-early start of the Christmas season, declaring that people shouldn’t be allowed to start celebrating Christmas until Santa closes out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We in Cadenza had a debate about the early start of the Christmas season—one we decided to share with you.

Point

As Justin Bieber proved last week, Christmas fever is already in full swing. Sure, it’s the best and most celebrated holiday in our fair country, and for good reason. It fosters the attitude our country was built upon—hooray for consumerism! However, there is a limit to everything, and at this time in early November, Christmas is over that limit. Here are a few rules I believe we should follow to get Christmas back in its rightful place.

First, and this goes for all holidays, no celebrating until the preceding holiday has passed. So for She & Him, who released a Christmas album in October, that’s two strikes. This means you should wait until at least Nov. 25 to put up the tree this year, but feel free to give yourself a couple more days to digest all that turkey. Black Friday exists for a reason—to celebrate the beginning of Christmas shopping.

Second, in America, Christmas conjures up thoughts of Red Ryder pump-action BB guns, snow, hot chocolate and ugly sweaters. Too warm for all those? Then it’s too warm for Christmas. Don’t think the East Coast got a free pass for two full months of roasted chestnuts, though. The first rule is the most important. But if you have an abnormally warm December, at least wait for all the leaves to fall.

As it is, Christmas suffers from too much hype. Anything that gets built up for a couple months will be a letdown when it finally happens. Heck, lots of things will be a letdown if they are built up for more than a few days. (See: Saturday’s “Game of the Century” between Louisiana State University and the University of Alabama.) If kids begin to have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads in November, those socks from Grandma just won’t cut it by the time Christmas Day rolls around.

I enjoy Christmas music as much as the next person, but there is a limit to what any reasonable being can stand, except for “Fairytale of New York,” which I can listen to all year. “Feliz Navidad” blaring from mall speakers for days on end, however, is a fate almost as bad as working at the mall and trying to maintain Christmas cheer for two months.

I hope you don’t think I’m a Grinch now. I don’t want to take away Christmas; I just want to make the preparation a bit shorter. You don’t need more than a day to shop anymore (Go to Amazon, they’ll even wrap it for you.) Happy Holidays!

Counterpoint

Let me start my article with this disclaimer: I’m Jewish. While my northern New Jersey town had a higher Jewish population than most towns, it was still part of America and thus predominantly Christian. For years, I somewhat lamented the lack of a Christmas tree in my house and the pretty themed ornaments I would never receive, but I reveled in helping my friends decorate their Christmas trees. I never wanted to officially celebrate Christmas, though—I just wanted to join in to the celebration.

So, Christmas before Halloween? Not a problem for me. What’s the problem with a little holiday cheer a little early in the year? While Christmas decorations in a department store or a T-Mobile commercial have the power to make people smile, will they ever ruin anyone’s day? I really doubt it.

Next, while holiday entertainment becomes more common as the end of the year draws closer and closer, it’s not ubiquitous. Simply, if you have a problem with it, ignore it. You don’t want to hear Christmas carols as you’re driving in the car? Change the station. Don’t want to be assaulted by elves on your regular shopping trip? Wait a month—your wallets will probably thank you anyway. Sure, the countdown to the 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family is a little cheesy, but so is everything else on that channel. The Christmas entertainment starts early so everyone can enjoy it. When you’re ready for holiday cheer, simply tune in.

How fun is it is to drive down a suburban road and compare the elaborate Christmas light decorations on every house? Beautifully lighted houses become (free) destinations on a boring weekend night, and the work some families put into their displays is amazing. Plus, extra lights make the neighborhoods safer. Can’t argue with that.

Here’s the thing—the bad parts of winter have already started arriving. The weather is getting colder and colder, and the sun sets before the working day ends. (How’s that for productivity?) We might as well enjoy the good parts of winter—the holiday cheer, the decorations, the anticipation that hoped-for presents bring—early in the season. Otherwise, all we have to look forward to is pulling the heavy winter coats out of the bottom of our closets, and that’s just no fun. Don’t be a Grinch—enjoy Christmas when you can. Getting excited for turkey-induced comas can only last so long.