OPINION: When is it appropriate to begin decorating for the holidays?

Out of those polled, the most prevalent opinion stated that you can begin decorating just after Thanksgiving.

Connect2Mason conducted a poll in which 69 respondents gave us their opinion  concerning the appropriate time to begin decorating for the holidays. The results might surprise you. 

Each respondent was asked mutliple questions concerning holiday cheer, the first being: "When should you begin decorating for the holidays?" As displayed in the pie chart, approximately 43 percent felt that it was appropriate to begin decorating after Thanksgiving has passed. Approximately 28 percent felt that decorations could go up December 1. 17 percent believed it was appropriate to put decorations up after Halloween and the remaining 12 percent thought December 1 was too early to begin such festivities.

Respondents were also asked when they began listening to holiday music. 48 percent began listening to holiday music after Thanksgiving, 26 percent began listening to holiday music after Halloween, 20 percent after December 1 and the remaining 6 percent felt December 1 was too early for the holiday carols.

Finally, respondents were asked when holiday decorations should come down. Though they were not given a list of options, 45 percent believed decorations should come down directly after New Year's Day.

One respondent felt that "[holiday] decorations have no expiration date. You shouldn't have to set a date for taking down the cheer." Brian Hetrick, a sophomore at Mason studying Biology, says that "[his] grandmother keeps her decorations up well into February; often, the decorations stay up until Valentine's Day." 

Zak Saylors, a Junior studying Civil Engineering, declares January 12 to be the apporpriate date for holiday festivities to return to the attic, whereas David Noyes, a Junior studying Government and International Politics, insists that "there really just isn't much [he cares] less about." 

Would you like to have your opinion considered for publication? If so, send an email to opinion@connect2mason.com with the subject line "opinion writer position."