Each year, as fall sets in and Halloween decorations are stowed away, an annual debate arises: is it too soon to start playing Christmas music? Radio stations often face the dilemma of deciding when to switch to a holiday playlist, and in recent years, many have chosen to start as early as November 1st—well before Thanksgiving. Some listeners eagerly await this seasonal shift, while others feel it’s simply too early. Here, Jeff Derderian will take a look at the pros and cons of playing Christmas music on the radio before Thanksgiving.
Pros of Early Christmas Music
- Boosts Holiday Spirit Early
- For many people, Christmas music is a surefire way to boost their mood and bring out the joy of the season. Hearing festive tunes early on can be a delightful reminder of the celebrations, togetherness, and joy that lie ahead. Songs like Jingle Bells and Winter Wonderlandevoke memories of family gatherings, snowfalls, and cozy firesides, often leading to an increased sense of happiness and nostalgia. Especially in colder climates, holiday music can turn gray November days into warm, festive ones.
- Helps People Plan and Get in the Mood for the Holidays
- With an earlier start to Christmas music, listeners are reminded to begin holiday preparations. For families and individuals juggling busy schedules, an earlier start on Christmas planning can ease the stress that often accompanies December. Christmas music can subtly remind listeners of holiday tasks like shopping, decorating, and planning gatherings. It can even inspire early baking or gift-wrapping sessions, which can make the holiday season more enjoyable and less rushed.
- Boosts Retail and Hospitality Industries
- Holiday music can influence consumer behavior, which is why many retailers start playing it early. A festive atmosphere encourages people to shop, boosting sales during a crucial season for retail and hospitality industries. Restaurants, hotels, and even online businesses often benefit from an early seasonal shift as customers begin thinking about holiday gatherings and gift-giving sooner. Many radio stations, especially those sponsored by businesses, strategically play holiday music to create an association between festive music and holiday shopping.
- Brings Comfort During Challenging Times
- In times of personal or collective hardship, Christmas music can bring comfort and a sense of familiarity. Whether it’s due to economic uncertainty, family struggles, or even just a string of bad news, hearing songs filled with messages of love, peace, and hope can bring listeners solace. Early exposure to these timeless classics can provide listeners with a positive emotional anchor, making it easier to focus on the season’s joy and warmth.
Cons of Early Christmas Music
- Can Overshadow Thanksgiving Traditions
- Thanksgiving, with its focus on gratitude, family, and American traditions, is an important holiday in its own right. Starting Christmas music too early can make Thanksgiving feel like a “forgotten holiday” as the focus shifts from giving thanks to gift-buying and holiday décor. For those who value Thanksgiving, early holiday music can feel like a commercialization that undermines the holiday’s meaning. Instead of savoring fall colors and turkey dinners, they’re prematurely rushed into a Christmas mindset.
- May Cause Listener Fatigue
- As much as people love Christmas music, listening to the same songs over and over can quickly become exhausting. Holiday classics tend to be limited in number, so when stations start playing them in early November, listeners are often subjected to the same tunes for nearly two months. This can lead to “holiday music fatigue,” where the songs that once brought joy start to feel repetitive and lose their festive magic.
- Can Increase Holiday Stress and Pressure
- For some, the holiday season can be stressful due to financial pressures, busy schedules, and family obligations. Hearing Christmas music early can feel like a reminder of these pressures, rather than an invitation to celebrate. Especially for those who struggle with holiday-related stress, early exposure can feel overwhelming, as if the season of obligations is beginning sooner than they’re ready for.
- Doesn’t Align with Everyone’s Holiday Timeline
- Not everyone celebrates Christmas or celebrates it in the same way. For people who observe other winter holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Diwali, early Christmas music can feel exclusionary. This can create a sense of alienation for those who feel that Christmas music is overly dominant. Additionally, some listeners prefer to start the season’s celebrations in December, in keeping with more traditional timelines. For these people, early Christmas music may feel like a disruption rather than a pleasant seasonal shift.
Striking a Balance: A Happy Medium?
With these pros and cons in mind, some radio stations have found ways to compromise. Rather than going all-in on Christmas music in early November, they may start with a “light sprinkle” of holiday songs mixed in with regular programming. Some stations begin with just a few Christmas songs per hour, gradually increasing the number of holiday songs as December approaches. This way, listeners who love the early start can enjoy a hint of Christmas spirit, while those who prefer waiting until after Thanksgiving aren’t fully inundated by holiday music right away.
Another approach some stations take is starting holiday music the day after Thanksgiving, which feels like a natural transition into the Christmas season for many. Known as “Black Friday,” this shopping-heavy day often marks the official kickoff of the holiday season in retail and media alike, giving Thanksgiving its own space to be celebrated.
Ultimately, the question of whether or not to play Christmas music before Thanksgiving is a matter of personal preference. For some, the early start is a joyful boost to their holiday spirits; for others, it’s an intrusion on the fall season and Thanksgiving. Radio stations can’t please everyone, but by finding a balance and offering choices, they can help spread joy to those eager to start celebrating while respecting those who prefer to savor each holiday in its own time.
So, whether you’re an early holiday enthusiast or prefer to keep Christmas music confined to December, there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy the season. After all, Christmas music is meant to bring joy, and how we choose to enjoy that joy is ultimately up to each of us.