Claire Herquet, Staff

It is no secret that many of us Christmas-lovers begin decorating, celebrating or holiday shopping once the clock hits 12 a.m. on Nov. 1. It is also no secret that this subject may be a little touchy for some people out there! Many like to begin their Christmas festivities in early November, while others follow the tradition of waiting until after Thanksgiving to kick off the Christmas season. Personally, I can testify that at the point of drafting this article, I have yet to hear any holiday music on the radio or in retail stores, but a beloved Christmas tree and decorations are all set up at my job. 

Philadelphia visitors and residents are usually aware of and enjoy checking out the Christmas Village every year, located in LOVE Park right off of Arch Street. Walking through the crowd of shoppers to peruse through all the vendors and small businesses is a must-do tradition for Philly locals. Upon the choice to open the village on Thanksgiving Day following the parade in the morning, it may influence the local public to start celebrating after their huge dinners on Thursday night.  

Perhaps Mariah Carey’s YouTube video entitled “Mariah Carey – IT’S TIME!!,” featuring a background of snow falling and her biggest hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” tells viewers that Carey begins celebrating right after Halloween, as the video made its premiere on Nov. 1.  

As students at La Salle, we may be curious as to what side of the equation the University is on. Do La Salle leaders and officials take their time enjoying the autumnal Thanksgiving season filled with turkey and mashed potatoes? Since a poster saying “La Salle University wishes you and your family A Blessed Christmas” was put up on the blue bridge on Nov. 15, they have made their standpoint on the debate noticeably clear.  

Ultimately, this debate undermines the importance of cherishing both holidays. Whether you choose to deck the halls in November or patiently wait until the arrival of December, the joy and gratitude that these celebrations and traditions bring is what really matters, right? Nonetheless, whether you’re spreading holiday cheer like confetti or patiently waiting for the last bite of stuffing to disappear, let’s agree on one thing: the real winners are the ones who embrace the laughter and love that comes with the holiday season, regardless of whether the mistletoe is hung up over the Thanksgiving table or the Christmas tree.