Every year, right after Halloween ends, it feels like Christmas starts showing up everywhere. Stores put out decorations early November, people start playing Christmas music, and some families even begin their holiday traditions before Thanksgiving. But the big question is, are we taking Christmas way too seriously, or is it just a fun holiday people like to celebrate for a long time? Many Skyline students have different opinions, but it’s clear that Christmas is a huge part of people’s lives.
Lola Stack, a ninth grader at Skyline, doesn’t think Christmas is taken too seriously at all. She said, “I think it is one of the bigger holidays just because of how people celebrate it and the traditions.” For Stack, Christmas feels big simply because families have so many memories and fun activities they do every year. She also said it depends on the people you’re around, since everyone has different habits. When it comes to decorations, the Halloween stuff should come down mid-November or the first week of November. She also said Christmas decorating should start “after Thanksgiving or the first week of December.” Christmas is her favorite holiday because she thinks it’s fun, full of traditions, and a good time to see family.
Another ninth grader, Charlie Bird, also thinks Christmas is not taken too seriously, but he takes it even further. He thinks Christmas should actually be expanded. Bird said, “I feel that it’s a time for people to experience religion… There’s so much culture behind Christmas.” For him, it’s more than a holiday, it’s a meaningful time for many people. Bird said Halloween decorations could stay up for “maybe 3 weeks after Halloween,” but any longer and that’s pushing it. For Christmas decorations, he thinks outdoor ones should go up around 3 weeks before Christmas, but inside the house, people can decorate whenever they want. He said it depends on your culture and religion, and everyone celebrates differently.
Both Stack and Bird have good points. Some people think Christmas is big because of traditions, not because people overdo it. Others think Christmas is important and should be celebrated even more. In the end, is Christmas made too serious? Maybe, if you personally feel that way. Everyone celebrates differently, and that’s okay. What matters most is that people enjoy the holiday in a way that makes them happy. At the end of the day, Christmas is only as serious as you make it. “ So whether you decorate in November or wait until December 24th, the real question isn’t how seriously Christmas is taken-it’s how seriously you decide to take it.”
