When Do Americans Begin Their Christmas Decorating?

The age-old debate about when is the appropriate time to put up Christmas lights has returned, with a survey suggesting Dec. 1 as a popular date. However, some people, especially in Georgia, prefer to start sooner. Whether you prefer glamorous or traditional Christmas decorations, there’s no perfect answer for when to decorate. Traditionally, the earliest Christmas decorations are put up on the first day of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. However, some traditions dictate that to avoid bad luck, one should start decorating the day after Thanksgiving.

The most popular time to deck the halls is the week after Thanksgiving. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans decorate for Christmas the first week of December, while 1 in 6 wait until the second week of December or later. Most people decorate shortly after putting it up, in November or early December. Take down happens in early or mid-January, February if desired.

A survey found that most Americans think the days between Thanksgiving and December 1 are the best time to decorate for the holidays. While it is the consensus of Americans to wait until after Thanksgiving, some choose to decorate from early to mid-November. The traditional period for being decorated for the Christmas season is December 24th until January 6th, but Americans tend to set up decorations and play holiday music as early as November, contrasting the British preference for early December.

People begin shopping for tinsel, garlands, and ornaments on Etsy as early as August. However, the most common time to start decorating is usually between Dec. 1-15. While some people start much earlier, the timing of decorating depends on personal preference and personal preferences.

What country decorates the most for Christmas?

A 2022 survey indicated that Ireland and Norway exhibited the highest prevalence of consumers engaged in the preparation of their homes for Christmas decorations on a global scale.

Are people who put Christmas decorations up early happier?

Psychology experts have found that people who put their Christmas decorations up early are happier than those who wait. This is because people who are eager to decorate their homes earlier are more likely to connect with their inner child and remember their childhood, before dealing with the responsibilities and stresses of adulthood. This can help them feel happier and more connected to their inner child during the festive season.

How early is too early to decorate for Christmas?

A majority of 65 editor friends recommend decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving or the first week of December, as this schedule allows for a clean transition into the yuletide season and aligns with the start of Advent. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park decorates on Thanksgiving Day. However, 15% agree that decorating after Thanksgiving is the best, suggesting waiting longer into December.

The remaining 20% prefer to start their Christmas tree early, even as early as November 1, as they crave the magic and merry before the turkey dinner. The ideal time to put up the Christmas tree is sometime soon after Thanksgiving.

How soon is too soon to put up Christmas lights?

Thanksgiving is still a significant part of the holiday season, with wreaths, ornaments, lights, and trees indicating the start of the countdown to Christmas. While research suggests that people who embrace the holiday spirit are happier, many prefer to enjoy their Thanksgiving turkey before a bite of gingerbread and a glass of eggnog. However, the question of whether it is too early to decorate for the holidays has become more prevalent in modern times.

Etsy’s trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson suggests that people are getting excited for Christmas earlier than ever before, and it’s important not to hold back their excitement for the holiday season. People start shopping for tinsel, garlands, and ornaments on Etsy as early as August. To incorporate Christmas into fall and Thanksgiving décor, Johnson suggests starting with solid staples and then switching out accessories.

Can I decorate for Christmas in November?

Some experts suggest waiting until December 24, Christmas Eve, or after Thanksgiving in the US or after St. Nicholas Day in the Nordic countries before putting up your Christmas tree. However, many people switch their minds to the holidays as soon as Halloween is over. Experts agree that putting up your Christmas tree in November is good, and one study states that putting up your holiday decorations early immediately increases your happiness. In 2023, the prevailing chaos invites us to take hasty refuge in the holiday spirit and all that it evokes for us.

Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown, creator of the MindFixers program and owner of The McKeown Clinic, says that Christmas decorations bring back intense childhood memories and are often used to relive magic or make up for past neglect.

How do Americans decorate their homes for Christmas?

The most popular decorations for Christmas include garland, Christmas lights, mistletoe, and a snowman. Half of Americans decorate their homes with Christmas lights, while 1 in 3 decorate with lights inside and 1 in 10 with lights outside. More than half of pet owners have decorations for their pets. As Americans prepare for the holidays, many start listening to Christmas or holiday music, with nearly 1 in 6 playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving and over 1 in 10 listening on Thanksgiving day.

Is it okay to put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving?

Bradley encourages people to embrace the joy of Christmas by putting up their tree or garlands early. However, he acknowledges that there is no obligation to do so, and that it may even be beneficial to resist the urge, as it brings joy and makes life sweeter.

Why is everyone decorating for Christmas so early?

Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown and therapist Amy Morin have both found that putting up Christmas decorations early can extend excitement and connect people to their childhood memories. They believe that nostalgia helps link people to their personal past and helps them understand their identity. Research by Science Direct in 2020 also found that people who prepare early are seen as more personable, as decorations interacted with sociability in a complex but interpretable way.

In the absence of Christmas decorations, raters accurately distinguished between the homes of sociable and non-sociable residents, attributed to the relatively more “open” and “lived in” look of the sociable residents’ homes. This suggests that putting up Christmas decorations early can help people reconnect with their childhoods and maintain a sense of community.

What percent of Americans decorate for Christmas?

Nearly all Americans celebrate Christmas, with 94% saying they do so and 84% decorating. Four out of five consider decorating a cherished tradition. The most popular time to decorate is the weekend after Thanksgiving, with Saturday afternoon being the ideal time. People spend about three hours decorating and spend an average of $70 on new decorations. Lombardo Homes surveyed 1, 000 Americans and analyzed over 1, 500 Christmas decoration search terms to understand trends and preferences. Indiana is beginning to look more like Christmas, with a lot of nativity scenes.

When should I decorate for Christmas USA?

Christmas decorating typically begins the weekend after Thanksgiving, but some choose to start in mid-December. This is ideal for families who are still gathered and can transition between the two holidays. When choosing when to decorate your Christmas tree, consider factors such as the live or artificial nature of the tree. A live tree can last around four weeks, so it might be best to wait until the first week of December to avoid dried needles and the natural fragrance of the tree. Artificial trees offer more flexibility as they look the same regardless of timing.

Do Americans decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving?

Nearly 70% of Americans plan to display outdoor holiday decorations, with 34 displaying them before Thanksgiving and 18 waiting until the first week of December. Nearly 60% decorate with colorful lights, while only 22 prefer white lights. Americans spend an average of $384 on decorations, with New Hampshire residents spending the most. Men spend just under $490 on holiday lights, while women spend around $292. The days between Thanksgiving and December 1 are the most acceptable time to decorate, with 49% planning to put their lights up that week.

However, a significant minority prefers to start early, with 34% putting up decorations before Thanksgiving. After the season ends, 75 Americans wait until January to take down their lights, while only 18 take them down at the end of December.