I dislike the whole concept of a December/January issue period. It misses the opportunity to go all-out for Christmas (like 90s-era Victoria Secret Christmas catalog glamour), and then a "fresh start" January cover. I wish they were separate. Put October/November together instead, no one needs October after the September issue.Not the most exciting, but also not the worst.
Magazines that put out a Dec-Jan issue face the dilemma of whether or not to reference any sort of holiday on the cover. UK Elle has gone for 'Christmas doesn't exist'.