Around the nation many radio stations have started to play holiday music around the clock. Does it seem like every year the non-stop holiday music starts earlier? It seems as though it starts earlier and earlier every year. It used to be on the First of December. Then it moved to the day after Thanksgiving. Now some radio stations started playing holiday and Christmas music round the clock the day after Halloween! Is it a ploy to get us all in the shopping — I mean holiday mood? What do you think?

In Tulsa, Oklahoma, two stations have already started playing the holiday music, claiming that there’s been a huge demand for it, so changing the two stations’ format to 24/7 holiday music from now through Christmas was just a response to their listeners’ request.

One station in the St. Louis area presents this explanation for the earlier start to the holiday music format:

“It’s been a pretty tough year for many people. With holiday music being like audio comfort food — totally upbeat and associated with warm, happy family experiences — we figured it would be nice to start Christmas a little early this year. The holiday season didn’t used to kick off until after Thanksgiving. That has shifted year by year until lately it’s been starting right after Halloween. All we’ve done is to move the fun up by one day.”

They say they’ve moved it up by “one day” except that the day is almost one month earlier than the next “day,” i.e. Thanksgiving, that they’re referring to. It’s a big leap. In some ways, however, radio stations that have already switched to non-stop holiday tunes are actually in step with retail stores, who hang up the 50% sale signs over unsold Halloween candy at the same time they set out all the Christmas decorations, literally. I actually saw that happening in a local store in my city the other day. So maybe these stations are on to something.

The November 1 start of the holiday music does bring up a couple of questions. Is it possible that people would get tired of “White Christmas” and “Jingle Bells” by the time Christmas actually gets here? Some may. As for me, I always love for stations to begin playing holiday music. It is pleasant, heartwarming, and fun. I think most people have positive feelings associated with holiday music, so it’s a welcome addition to the variety of music on the air. There are always other stations who maintain their format I can go to if I need the change, but I’m happy to have the Christmas/holiday option.

The other question, however, is whether there is any incentive by retailers. Does the music get us in the buying mood? I’m sure there are studies done to answer that question. I bet it does. But if we feel good while we’re spending money, what’s the harm?

What do you think? Do you prefer holiday music on the radio this early? Would you rather they wait until after Thanksgiving? Or do you even care because you don’t listen to the radio for your music anymore?