Watching Christmas movies before thanksgiving makes people happier

Question

I chose to factcheck the claim: "Watching Christmas Movies before Thanksgiving makes people happier." I have found that this topic can be a very controversial topic for some. I would argue that watching Christmas movies makes people happier. After all the emotions and fun from Halloween, we wind down in preparation for Thanksgiving. With this window there isn't that much time between Halloween and Thanksgiving, but a decent gap between Halloween and Christmas. With that, although we celebrate for Thanksgiving, we don't necessarily celebrate like we do for Christmas. Many people understanding that the Christmas season is coming up, we like to get into the holiday spirit early. I believe that it can bring joy to have something to celebrate for so long. Fielding Graduate University did a study stating that " Holiday movies can boost mood and relieve symptoms of depression by providing an escape from daily stressors and increasing perspective-taking. They are heart-healthy, reducing stress hormones like cortisol that can damage the cardiovascular and immune systems."  All in all I believe that understanding the positive light placed on Christmas helps people feel a sense of cheer within the correlation of the holiday, making people who watch Christmas movies before Thanksgiving feel happier. 

Comments

This is an extremely thorough assessment on your claim with a multitude of detail! This is the best factcheck i've seen yet! Your inclusion of an edu source was amazing and I am so glad someone finally brought up this controversial topic!

Answer 1

This is a fun topic! I reviewed the article you linked and it references several reliable studies and is written by an author who has a doctorate in media psychology, so I would argue that she is qualified to speak on the subject. However, your claim specifies that watching xmas movies before Thanksgiving makes people happier, which communicates there is a difference from watching them after the holiday which is not mentioned at all in your article. So your claim is partially unanswered by your source because yes, they wrote that watching holiday themed movies improves mood, decreases stress, and can increase time spent with family, but they didn't say anything about celebrating the holiday before vs after Thanksgiving. I would specify your argument on that more in your next fact check!

Comments

I think that was an amazing catch in the flaw of their statement. Noticing that and calling attention to it helps in future fact checks because it draws attention to many people to make sure they are being concise in their sources and statements.

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I completely agree with your response! The article does a great job of explaining how holiday movies improve mood and reduce stress, and the author’s credentials make her insights very reliable. You’re right to point out that the claim specifically focuses on watching Christmas movies before Thanksgiving, which isn’t directly addressed in the article. This is a key distinction that would strengthen the fact-check. I also believe that exploring whether timing could affect the psychological benefits may add an interesting layer to the analysis. Great observation and feedback!

Answer 2

The claim is mostly true, supported by research on the psychological benefits of holiday movies, though happiness is subjective and may vary among individuals. The claim is backed by research from Fielding Graduate University, where a professor of physiology explains that holiday movies can positively affect mental health. According to the study: Mood Enhancement is a factor since Holiday movies boost mood and relieve symptoms of depression by providing a comforting escape from daily stressors, along with Physiological Benefits, watching these movies can reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone, benefiting cardiovascular and immune health. Nostalgia is a significant factor. Holiday movies often remind people of joyful memories from childhood, reinforcing feelings of warmth and connection. This emotional connection can be especially prominent during the period between Halloween and Christmas when people begin decorating and preparing for the festive season. While Thanksgiving is an important holiday, it doesn't involve as much prolonged celebration or symbolic media as Christmas. For many, the lead-up to Christmas starts in early November, and watching holiday movies can serve as an early way to get into the festive spirit. I understand that not everyone may feel happier watching Christmas movies before Thanksgiving, as some people strongly associate them with the post-Thanksgiving time. Cultural and personal preferences influence how people perceive the overlap of holiday celebrations. Overall, the claim that watching Christmas movies before Thanksgiving makes people happier is supported by psychological research and societal trends. While individual reactions vary, the nostalgia and physiological benefits tied to holiday movies make them a source of joy for many, even before Thanksgiving.