After Halloween, the season of monsters and slasher films, the next holiday celebrates giving thanks and historical American events. Because of the lack of Thanksgiving music, many people are divided into two factions when it comes to when it’s acceptable to start listening to Christmas music: ‘Before Thanksgiving’, or ‘After Thanksgiving’. It’s a dangerous question to ask, but when is it socially acceptable to play Christmas music? For decades, this ultimate holiday debate has sparked arguments and even destroyed friendships.

Those who choose before Thanksgiving typically believe that the Christmas season begins on November 1. Candy Corn becomes Candy Canes and the Slasher films turn into Hallmark movies on TV till December 25. Along with all that comes Christmas music. OLSH Senior, and a before Thanksgiving believer, Maggie Dulac says “I’m not forgetting about Thanksgiving, but there’s not any Thanksgiving music.” Maggie believes it’s close enough to Christmas to begin listening to some holiday tunes, saying “It’s the time of the year where it gets cold and starts to snow.” Supporters of the “Before Thanksgiving” agree that the weather suits the music enough that it’s acceptable to be played. Others love Christmas so much they want the season to begin as soon as trick-or-treating ends. It’s scientifically proven that Christmas music brings, and ‘before Thanksgiving’ believers want the joy to start as soon as possible. A clinical neuropsychologist, Dr. Rhonda Freeman, told NBC News, “Our response to Christmas songs depends on the association. Many of us associate this music with childhood and a happy time of presents and traditions and all the specialness that happens around that time of year. When the brain makes these associations with something very positive and pleasurable, the rewards system is being activated (which triggers) a number of chemicals including dopamine.”

The other side of this debate says Christmas music can’t be appreciated like it should be until after Thanksgiving. They believe the after Halloween people are overlooking the holiday that falls on the fourth Thursday of November and that they’re forgetting about the Pilgrims and Native Americans coming together and the historical significance. For these people, the pumpkins become turkey decorations and then stockings. The Christmas movies aren’t watched until Freeform starts it’s 25 days of Christmas. It doesn’t make you Scrooge if you’re irritated by the pre-Thanksgiving Christmas music. According to clinical psychologist Linda Blair, playing Christmas music too soon can harm your mental health. She explains, “the constant barrage of Christmas tunes too early in the season forces people to remember all the things they have to do before the holiday. The songs are a reminder to buy presents, cater parties, organize travel, and all the more stressful chores during Christmas.” OLSH Senior, Jon Ruscoe supports after Thanksgiving because he says, “no matter how much you say you’re not overlooking Thanksgiving, you still are.” Until Thanksgiving, no Christmas music should be played around Jon Ruscoe or any after Thanksgiving fan.

This is a hotly debated topic every Christmas season. People have their reasons as to why they choose the date they choose. Often it’s an individual’s experience that affects their opinion on listening to Christmas music. The songs will bring back those exciting childhood memories, or trigger a stressful mental to-do-list. Hearing Jingle Bells, or O’Christmas Tree, or any holiday tune can exhilarate those joyful people, or bring great annoyance to those already overwhelmed. When do you think it is acceptable to listen to Christmas music, before or after Thanksgiving? You can vote at the OLSH Clarion.