Christmas is the day most people wait all year for. People all over the world celebrate the holiday season differently with various traditions, religious ceremonies, and times to get into the Christmas spirit with decorations, music, and festive activities.

Although Christmas is celebrated by 88% of Americans according to Drive Research, Christmas music should not start until at least Dec. 1.

“For me, it changes every year. This year I feel like early November is still kind of too early, but right after Thanksgiving – that’s when it’s full-on Christmas season,” senior Trisha Marszalek said.

The Christmas spirit depends on the year, and Christmas music listening patterns vary widely throughout the world today.

People start listening to Christmas music approximately Nov. 13 each year, according to Spotify’s listener data. Even so, the United States typically kicks off the Christmas music on Nov. 1 or earlier.

Chicago’s 93.9 LITE FM radio station has taken charge of marking the start of two months of continuous Christmas music at 3 p.m, on Tues., Nov. 4.

According to Block Club Chicago, the station change was made a couple days later than normal this year.

The #1 song on the Billboard charts for a definite six years Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” commenced the Christmas season off right as the first song that played on LITE FM on Nov. 4.

Although, these traditions are made and followed in the United States other countries around the world appear to have different views.

People in the Philippines start feeling the Christmas spirit as early as September all the way to Jan. 6 with the longest Christmas celebration in the world.

“Beyond religious customs, Filipinos are known for their love of festivities and community gatherings. Nearly every month, various regions and provinces host fiestas, where communities come together to share food, showcase vibrant costumes, and perform traditional dances in the streets,” Carla Teng-Westergaard of the Asia Media Centre said.

However, other parts of the world like Argentina and Uruguay show no spirit until the day of Christmas.

“In Uruguay, Christmas Eve, or “Noche Buena,” is the focal point of the celebration. Families come together for a late dinner, feasting on the aforementioned dishes and more. After dinner, the night is filled with music, laughter, and, as midnight approaches, the sky lights up with fireworks,” the bloggers at Spanish VIP said.

For students at West Chicago Community High School, holiday music’s arrival was met with mixed feelings.

“I think it’s never too early to listen to Christmas music. It lifts my spirits and makes me super excited for the holiday season, so it’s never too early for that,” senior Gwen Nika said.

While others believe,

“It doesn’t feel right to me when it starts that early. We should start decorating and listening once the leaves are gone or it dips below 35 degrees — that’s when it really feels like Christmas,” senior Joey Marszalek said.

Christmas is a celebration that is looked at differently among all families and cultures around the world. While waiting for the Christmas spirit to officially kick in, building the anticipation can make the season more meaningful. Let’s keep the holiday season fresh, exciting, and enjoyable for all. Pace the Christmas music until December: the time will come to enjoy and sing.