In most parts of the world, October means pumpkins, witches, and maybe the first whisper of Mariah Carey thawing out for December. But in Venezuela? October is now officially Christmas. Yes, President Nicolás Maduro has decreed that the holiday season starts two months early, and the whole country is supposed to hang their stockings while the rest of the world is still buying Halloween candy.
Officially, the story is simple: more time for joy, more time for shopping, more time for tradition. The government insists this “early Christmas” will boost the economy and raise morale, as if fairy lights can outshine inflation. But everyone knows the subtext: a glittery distraction from political tension, shortages, and that little thing called economic collapse. This begs the question, Does Christmas start when the president says?
Not everyone is decking the halls with glee. The Catholic Church, for one, is side-eyeing the whole affair. Bishops have basically said, “Sorry, Mr. President, but the calendar belongs to us and Baby Jesus.” Meanwhile, ordinary Venezuelans are split. Some are thrilled at the thought of extending the one season that promises a bit of relief. Others roll their eyes because Christmas trees won’t fill empty fridges.
In the end, the decree feels less like a festive gift and more like a useless telenovela plot twist. A government struggling with crises decides to fast-forward to the happiest time of year, hoping the music, lights, and gifts will drown out the noise. Whether it works or not is another story, but one thing’s for sure: in Venezuela, Christmas isn’t just coming early it’s a political performance wrapped in shiny paper.
