Christmas decs up in November? What Manchester students think of this age-old controversy

Ah, the age-old debate over early Christmas decorations: It’s a polarising issue, with the two extremes unable to see eye to eye. Some festive fanatics are hanging fairy lights before the pumpkins are out on their doorsteps. The others, the “Not Until December” purists, refuse to acknowledge Christmas is coming until it is days away.

Will this controversy ever be settled? I’m not sure, but let’s see what Manchester students have to say about it…

1. There is such a thing as too early.

Most students told The Manchester Tab that thinking about Christmas straight after Halloween is totally unacceptable. It is impossible to stay excited for Christmas for two months – you will run out of stamina, as well as movies, songs and festive activities.

These purists argued that Christmas decorations are only acceptable in December. Celebrating Christmas for weeks and weeks takes the excitement away, and December gives you enough time to make the most of what the festive period has to offer.

2. It’s never too early!

November is a pretty rubbish month. It’s dark by 3.30pm, it’s wet, and it’s cold. Mid-terms are looming and perhaps the joy that comes from gearing up for Christmas with decorations in November is just what we need to get us to the end of the term in one piece.

At uni, it’s also understandable that people want to start celebrating Christmas in November to be able to fit in all the festive fun Manchester has to offer before people start heading home for the holidays at the beginning of December.

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However, there is a line, and some people cross it. Over the last two weeks we’ve been asking students for their opinions on this emotionally-charged, highly controversial topic, and have heard some shocking stories: One friend told us she doesn’t see anything wrong with enjoying a Christmas movie in September.

I viscerally disagree with this, how on earth do you snuggle up on the sofa to watch The Holiday when it’s 18 degrees outside? Even worse, someone said that Christmas trees should be kept up all year round. Horror.

3. Less bothered about decorations and more bothered about the music.

Quite a few students told The Manchester Tab they had less of a problem with decorations and more of an issue with the music. Arguably, the whole season of Winter fits in the “glittery category” – it can be celebrated and decorated as its own thing. The music is less general, more on the nose.

Rumour has it the Costa on Oxford Road opposite Big Hands has been heard playing Christmas tunes – specifically, Jingle Bell Rock – in March. This really irked me. It’s hard to tell if this is considered too late or too early for Christmas music. Either way, what on earth, Costa – March?

It is clear that people have very deep-rooted emotional reactions to this debate, so maybe we should all just agree to disagree – I’m not sure this cultural standoff will ever be settled. If you want to start playing your Christmas playlist from midnight on November 1st, be my guest! If you refuse to acknowledge Christmas festivities until well into December, you do you Scrooge! Christmas is a time for tolerance and acceptance after all.