Out with the old and in with the new: Christmas quickly took over November and settled into December. With just a few days remaining before the holiday, some people rush to the shops for last-minute presents, while others sit back and enjoy a warm fire and a holiday movie.
These are likely the people who decorated their houses the day after Thanksgiving—or perhaps even before. While some think it’s too early to set up for Christmas before Thanksgiving, others feel it’s the perfect time to start spreading holiday cheer. As Halloween decorations were packed away, Christmas lights began twinkling, leaving Thanksgiving as little more than a brief stop on the way to the holiday season.
The Trigueros family was no expection.
“I like to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations for as long as we can,” Nancy Trigueros, my mom, said.
Early Festivities at Home
A close look at an ornament set up on the Trigueros family tree reveals the start of our Christmas celebrations as early as November 3—the first week of the month. As a family tradition, my siblings and I help my mom set up three trees, each filled with ornaments collected over the years.
The white tree is decorated with red, silver, and white ornaments, while our green tree holds elementary school-made and homemade ornaments. The last tree is a snowman tree, adorned with three black ornaments for buttons, a hat, a carrot nose, black boots at the base, a scarf, and two mitten arms.
Underneath the tree, a stuffed Santa, pulled from a bin in the garage, takes his rightful place, bringing magic and spirit to our home.
“Your grandma bought it when you were little,” my mom said.
Santa remains under the tree until Christmas Day, when the presents take his spot, and he moves to another place in the house.
Creating the Mood
To get into the holiday spirit, we set up a YouTube video playing Christmas music with a calming, cheerful background. On Christmas Day, while opening presents, my dad plays a YouTube video of a crackling fireplace to create a warm, homey, and festive atmosphere.
“I started doing that a few years ago because I wanted a secluded, log cabin-type feel to set the Christmas mood,” my dad, Joe Trigueros, said.
Decorations Throughout the House
In the entryway, two polar bears stand together to welcome guests with holiday cheer. Purchased from Hobby Lobby during the holiday season, they sometimes find separate spots in the house to spread joy, but this year, they remain together.
In the dining room, a small Christmas tree, lit with colorful lights, sits in the center of the table. It glows softly at night, adding a nostalgic charm.
“I wanted something that reminded me of my childhood,” my mom said.
A fake lantern with a battery-powered light symbolizes real light and sits beside a fall candle that is ready to be replaced with a Christmas one. Gifted to my mom by her sister, the lantern is a staple decoration when hosting family and friends during the holidays.
Holiday Spirit Beyond Home
The Trigueros family is not alone in their early holiday spirit. At West Chicago Community High School, signs of Christmas appeared in early November, particularly in science teacher Brianne Ferreiro’s classroom.
One mid-November day, a student sat on the classroom floor, watching the animated movie The Grinch to get into the Christmas spirit. Ferriero’s classroom, adorned with lights and a fully decorated Christmas tree, radiates holiday cheer. These lights have been a fixture since the COVID-19 era of remote learning and have remained ever since.
“It makes me happy, and I like the ambiance it gives. Christmas is literally the most wonderful time of the year, and I feel like it’s too short,” Ferriero said.
Unsurprisingly, Ferriero’s Christmas tree features science-themed ornaments.
“We go to Hobby Lobby every year, and they pick out an ornament that is special to them for that particular year,” Ferriero said.
As Ferriero sees it, people should not get mad at others who enjoy putting their Christmas decorations up early.
“If it makes someone happy, then you should be happy for them,” Ferriero said.
The early arrival of Christmas decorations, whether at home or school, brings joy to many, lighting up the long days before the holiday season officially begins.
