Personally, I love Christmas time and the overall feel of the holidays. So I celebrate as early as possible, starting off with listening to Christmas music in Nov. It’s all driven through nostalgia, not to enrage my parents.

Although this season is known for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), it’s a positive mood boost for me. The cheerful music, lights and being with family is the reason this holiday is my favorite. On the other hand, the cold weather and built up stress is a downer despite the happy holiday season.

So the big question is: when is the appropriate time to put up decorations or listen to Christmas music? Christmas is always celebrated on Dec. 25, in honor of the birth of Jesus, but according to tinyprints.com, decorating for the holiday is done by most people after Thanksgiving. It is also recommended to take one holiday at a time and to wait until after Thanksgiving, is more convenient.

Putting up the Christmas tree, for me it depends if it’s real or fake. According to tinyprints.com, for the traditional real Christmas tree getting it a week or two after Thanksgiving is advised because it only lasts up to a month before drying out. Fake trees, on the other hand, are easier to manage and can be put up depending on personal preference. My family puts up our fake tree the weekend after Thanksgiving due to traveling over the holiday. I agree that the tree should be put up later compared to the time you start listening to Christmas music.

Now the biggest part of the debate: when should you start listening to Christmas music? According to mysunsetcoast.com, the now unofficial start to the Christmas and holiday music season is Nov. 1. Many argue that’s too early, but others want to enjoy the season. Listening to music is my favorite part of the holiday, so I always start early around the beginning of Nov. If my day is rough, listening to Christmas music is an automatic mood boost. My family believes everything Christmas related needs to be celebrated after Thanksgiving, but I personally think it’s up to personal preference. There should be no judgment about it if the holiday makes you happy or if it makes you sad.

Choosing to celebrate is all up to you, there is no right or wrong in this debate. Celebrating Christmas could be religiously motivated or for the pure joy the holiday brings.