Ho Ho No?
By ADELAIDE COPE ‘22
November has arrived: the trees have relinquished their leaves, the ground crunches satisfyingly under your Timberlands as you walk down Centre Street, and, if you listen carefully, you can hear the jingling bells of winter festivities in the distance. The jack o’lanterns on the dorm porches rot slowly, a telltale sign that spooky season is behind us. Once again, Halloween has made a fleeting appearance, but retreated to its hiding place, only to return next October 1st. Fall is gone. But must it all be over so soon? Does a corporate grip on the winter holidays undermine the autumn which would otherwise be one of the most festive times of the year? Or do the winter holidays really start working on November 1st?
Stepping into South Shore Plaza on the Saturday after Halloween and being bludgeoned by a stand of glittery Christmas ornaments, snowball-scented (?) Bath and Body Works moisturizer, and what looks like elf vomit all over Lush, makes me rather uncomfortable. Along with the headache I get from the flashing lights, my stomach hurts a little from looking at what feels like a corporate money vacuum. This early in the season, it feels more than ever like big businesses are exploiting gift giving for their own benefits, and according to CNBC, they most certainly are. Many retailers rely heavily on the holidays to finish the year’s profits since people spend way more money in the fourth quarter than during the rest of the year. This money-driven approach puts a heavy damper on the season that is supposed to be about generosity for so many. So when Target tries to sell me a 32” Olaf plushie for $49.99 in early November, I force myself to stop shuddering, take a deep breath, and walk away. But how can I enjoy autumn when my boots are crunching to the beat of jingle bells and desperate employees encourage shoppers to spend thousands of dollars on decorations and gifts almost a month or more before Hanukkah starts, and nearly two months before Christmas?
These critiques are not to say, however, that the festive season is bad. Whether you are celebrating a holiday or just the fact that you get to be with your family and friends as the exam stress is diluted by hot cocoa, it’s the other stuff that makes this time special, no matter when it begins. I certainly wouldn’t argue with prolonging those feelings. I think appreciating one another’s company, especially at such a rocking place like Milton, is a critical part of building community. If a 32” Olaf plushie in November is going to help you do that, I guess go ahead.
The other day, I heard someone call November “the Thursday of the year,” and I have to say I agree. Early November can feel like dreary anticipation for the excitement of the holidays, and a little extra spirit can help get you through the business of wrapping up work for the year. So at the end of the day, my question remains: are the winter holidays’ starting on November 1st a marketing ploy and a vehicle for profit, or does a little extra celebration help get us through the end of the year in just the right way? If you’re a holiday in November kind of person, happy holidays from me, otherwise I’ll be sure to wish you one later.