By Sofia Montoya-Deck//
The average human falls into one of two categories: those who love Christmas music and those whose hearts have been stolen by the Grinch.
As we near December, Christmas music begins to fill the air—on the radio, in stores and in our homes. For many, these songs evoke memories of family, holiday joy and the spirit of giving. So why limit these jolly tunes to just one month of the year? Christmas music deserves to spread cheer, from January to December, far and near.
Grinches and Ebenezer Scrooges argue that Christmas music should be confined to a box and saved only for December. To put it bluntly, they’re wrong.
Let’s be honest with ourselves here: you like Christmas music. It’s catchy, it’s joyful and you can’t help but do a little dance or head nod when you hear it. Don’t kid yourself. Your only issue is that you think it’s overplayed. And I can empathize with that.
There’s no denying that the over-commercialization of Christmas can sometimes dampen the true meaning of the holiday. But, by reclaiming Christmas music as more than a retail-driven phenomenon, we can redefine it as a celebration of happiness and generosity, no matter the season.
If you can tolerate the “Cha-Cha Slide” at every wedding and “Sweet Caroline” at every sporting event, then you can definitely handle Christmas tunes for more than one month each year.
Compare it to indulging in turkey or mashed potatoes in March. Just because these foods are traditional at Thanksgiving doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyed the rest of the year.
At the very least, Christmas music should be embraced beginning Nov. 1. After all, many begin their Christmas celebrations long before December. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrived in Midtown Manhattan on Nov. 9. Dunkin’ welcomed back its holiday drink menu on Nov. 1, and Starbucks did the same on Nov. 7. Frederick’s own Francis Scott Key Mall opened “Photos with Santa” on Nov. 9.
As of mid-November, Spotify’s “Christmas Hits” playlist has already reached No. 1 globally, with nearly twice as many streams as last year. Spotify even moved up the release of its annual Holiday Collection by a month to accommodate the growing demand.
So, what’s the hold-up? Why delay your happiness until the first snowflake falls when you can bask in Christmas tunes while still in your Halloween costume?
And while we’re jamming out to those Christmas tunes over Halloweekend, let’s turn on some other holiday hits too. Like “I Have a Little Dreidel.” Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay, and when it’s dry and ready, then dreidel I will play! As catchy as that song is, it shouldn’t be restricted to just the eight days of Hanukkah. And don’t forget about Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song,” which is just as funny in July.
Let’s also remember that “Christmas music” includes songs that aren’t even about Christmas. So why are we handcuffing them to the month of December? Classic “Christmas” hits such as “Frosty the Snowman,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and “Let it Snow,” don’t even mention Christmas—and those are just the songs currently stuck in my head. So, who’s to say these songs can’t be equally enjoyed during a February blizzard or, heck, an August heatwave?
Some argue that playing Christmas music year-round dilutes the magic of the holiday season. But I’m not suggesting you decorate your tree in May or start donning your Santa hats in August. Christmas will remain special even if you enjoy its music before December rolls around. After all, we drink champagne on ordinary days, not just on New Year’s Eve. We celebrate love throughout the year, not only on Valentine’s Day. We even wear green when it’s not St. Patrick’s Day. The fact of the matter is that the magic of any holiday is not bound to a specific date; its significance is what we make of it.
Picture this: It’s finals week in May. You’re tired and your brain is fried. As you walk through Whit to get to your dorm, “Feliz Navidad” rings through the speakers. Suddenly, you’re no longer a stressed-out student—you’re overcome with pure jubilation. Your heart grows three sizes. You suddenly recall every formula for your physics test and magically conjure up the five-page essay you need for criminology. Christmas songs can make us believe in the magic of the season—even when ‘tis not the season.
So go ahead and hit play on “Last Christmas” in the middle of May.
Don’t let your inner Grinch stand in the way.
Find that holiday spirit and let it take flight.
Merry listening to all and to all a year-round delight.
Be the first to comment