RELEVANT Readers Decide the Only Correct Time to Listen to Christmas Music

It’s the age-old debate that resurfaces each year without fail — when exactly is it socially acceptable to start spinning those classic Christmas tunes? The songs themselves might be familiar, but the timing debate remains divisive. This year, RELEVANT readers shared hundreds of passionate takes on the right day to press play on the Christmas classics, creating a fascinating look at how holiday spirit blends with personal tradition, cultural cues, and yes, a bit of stubborn opinion.

Here’s a look at the top contenders for the best time to press play on those Christmas hits, as chosen by RELEVANT readers.

Halloween Ends, Christmas Begins?

Some people don’t even let the pumpkins from Halloween cool off before they’re tuning into the first holiday hits of the season. For these enthusiastic folks, November 1 marks the official start of the Christmas season. Why wait, they ask, when you can have nearly two full months to bask in the glow of holiday jingles? They argue that as soon as the costumes are stored away, it’s time to embrace Christmas cheer. The rationale? Life is stressful, and the holidays bring a certain nostalgia and joy that can be comforting, especially as daylight fades and temperatures drop.

Opponents of this approach tend to be the most vocal, insisting that jumping into Christmas music before Thanksgiving feels excessive. “It’s about respecting the holidays,” some claim. Thanksgiving, they argue, is a distinctly autumnal celebration, better accompanied by folk music, jazz, or maybe even some light pop — not “Winter Wonderland.” But for the day-after-Halloween crowd, the early switch is all about creating a buffer to squeeze every drop of Christmas magic out of the year.

Thanksgiving Evening: The Happy Medium

If there’s a group of people who love Christmas but also revere Thanksgiving, they’re the ones starting the holiday tunes right around Thanksgiving evening. To this crowd, finishing up the Thanksgiving meal is an ideal cue for the holiday season to begin. It’s almost like an unwritten rule for many families who feel that transitioning to Christmas music after the meal is the most respectful way to maintain the spirit of each holiday.

For many RELEVANT readers, this balance is the “compromise” option in the great Christmas music debate. They believe in honoring Thanksgiving, but they also believe the season is short and sweet. Why not ring in Black Friday and holiday shopping with a bit of festive music as dessert plates are cleared? Thanksgiving is the perfect segue into Christmas for them, a gateway holiday that allows for a smooth shift from pumpkin pie to peppermint everything.

December 1: When It Feels Right

The “official” start of Christmas music season for many traditionalists is December 1. These folks hold that the Christmas season belongs squarely within December’s borders, giving Thanksgiving its own space in November and respecting the calendar before diving into sleigh bells. This group sees December as the “official” start and claims it feels unnatural to start any sooner. After all, Christmas Eve is still a full 24 days away when December begins — plenty of time to enjoy all the holiday music in the world.

For December 1 advocates, Christmas music feels like a special indulgence, and they don’t want to dilute its impact by stretching it out too early. Their philosophy centers on the idea that less is more, preserving that rare holiday joy. They argue that starting Christmas music on December 1 makes it feel like a treat, something to be anticipated, savored, and celebrated for a few weeks before moving on.

Christmas Eve Only: Save the Best for Last

Then, there’s the group that insists on delaying Christmas music until Christmas Eve itself. These rare birds believe that holding out until the night before Christmas makes the music even more special. The idea here is to preserve the sanctity of Christmas songs, treating them as a nearly sacred experience saved exclusively for the final hours leading up to the big day.

There’s an undeniable appeal to this minimalistic approach, especially for those who argue that Christmas music is a special genre that should only be pulled out in the final hours before the holiday. For them, waiting until the last minute heightens the excitement and helps them focus on the spiritual aspects of Christmas. However, the downside for many is that they miss out on the holiday spirit leading up to Christmas, which is half the fun for most people. Still, they remain staunch in their resolve, holding off until the last possible moment before indulging in Mariah Carey or Bing Crosby.

Whenever You Want: The Free Spirits

And finally, a significant portion of respondents made the case for listening whenever the holiday spirit strikes. This crowd champions the philosophy of celebrating Christmas music on their own terms, disregarding the societal debate altogether. Life’s too short to limit seasonal joy to specific dates, they argue. To them, Christmas music is a feel-good soundtrack that can be enjoyed at any time — whether it’s the middle of summer, the first chilly day of fall, or a random Tuesday in November.

Supporters of the “whenever you want” approach emphasize that Christmas music is tied to joy, nostalgia, and personal tradition. They view holiday music as an invitation to feel cozy and connected, and they don’t believe those feelings need a timetable. For these free spirits, Christmas music is more than background sound; it’s a lifestyle choice, a mental escape whenever the world feels a bit heavy.

And the RELEVANT Reader Verdict Is…

After tallying the responses, the clear winner among RELEVANT readers is…December 1. That’s right — the first day of December is the crowd-favorite kickoff for Christmas music season, beating out early birds, Thanksgiving night enthusiasts, and everyone in between. Perhaps this strikes the perfect balance: early enough to catch the spirit of the season but not so early as to overshadow Thanksgiving.

So if you’re one to trust the wisdom of the crowd, December 1 might be the ideal day to cue up your favorite carols. Until then, whether you’re humming “Silent Night” secretly in the shower or waiting with bated breath for the “official” start, you’re in good company. And if nothing else, you now have the ultimate RELEVANT reader-approved answer for when to hit play on those holiday hits.

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