When Should I Begin My Christmas Decorating?

Etsy’s in-house trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson discusses the etiquette of putting up Christmas decorations, including lights, wreaths, and more. The official day to start decorating your home is traditionally on Advent Sunday, the fourth Sunday before Christmas day. However, this can fall as early as November 1st. Shutterfly recommends waiting until at least November 1st for some people to start decorating for Christmas.

The best time to decorate for Christmas depends on the type of decor you are putting out. If you start early, you get to enjoy and appreciate your holiday décor longer, while if you prefer to wait, that gives you more time to do the decorations. Most people start decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving or the first week of December. Some people choose to wait until December 1st for some decorations because they have a base layer of winter decor from January through February.

A majority of our editor friends said that you should decorate for Christmas right after Thanksgiving or the first week of December. Tradition dictates that Christmas trees should be put up at the beginning of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. Every year, once Halloween is over and done, the Christmas decorations go up immediately. Come November 1st, it’s bye-bye to black and orange and hello to red.

Almost one half of holiday decorators get started between Thanksgiving and the end of November, with around one in six waiting until early December. The most common times include the day after Thanksgiving and after Thanksgiving but before December.

How early can I decorate for Christmas?

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.

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.

Is November too early to decorate for Christmas?

The debate on when to decorate for Christmas is a topic of great interest, with many magazine editors suggesting that it should be done after Thanksgiving or the first week of December. This is in line with tradition and aligns with the start of Advent. The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park decorates on Thanksgiving Day. However, 15% of editors agree that decorating after Thanksgiving is the best way to go, suggesting waiting longer into December.

The remaining 20% prefer to start their Christmas tree early, even as early as November 1, even before the turkey dinner is served. The ideal time to put up the Christmas tree is sometime soon after Thanksgiving, as it is in accordance with tradition and aligns with the start of Advent. The debate continues to grow, with ‘Christmas at Biltmore’ starting on November 3, 2023.

Is November too early for Christmas decorations?

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.

Are you happier if you decorate for Christmas early?

It has been posited by experts in the field that the early installation of Christmas decorations can result in an increase in levels of happiness and friendliness amongst the general public. This is thought to be as a result of the stimulation of the feel-good hormone dopamine, which is triggered by the use of colours and lights.

When should I start buying Christmas decorations?

Black Friday is a popular shopping day in the United States, marking the start of the holiday shopping season. It offers deep discounts and special deals, making it an ideal time to save money and start holiday preparations. Customers can avoid crowds, lack of merchandise, and high prices associated with waiting until Christmas day. Shopping during this time allows them to decorate their homes and enjoy the festive atmosphere of Christmas for longer.

New product releases are also a great way to introduce new memories and celebrate nostalgic ones. From July until Christmas, the selection of new decorations is at their peak, bringing excitement for the coming holiday and renewing traditions in the home. Staying updated on trending decorations is crucial, as each addition adds to the magical landscape for holiday gatherings, festive meals, and gift exchange with friends and family.

Is it OK not to decorate for Christmas?

Interior designer Lesley Myrick shares her personal preference for minimalism in home decor, rather than party planning, tablescaping, and holiday decorating. She believes that the holiday season is the time when many people get excited about putting effort into their home decor, but she also finds the sheer volume of decorations annoying and adds stress to the already busy season.

Lesley Myrick suggests that instead of having a house full of tiny Santas, one should focus on creating a festive atmosphere that brings warmth, sparkle, coziness, and connection to the home. This involves all five senses: sounds, smells, touches, and tastes of the season. The sounds of the holidays can be evoked through music like Mannheim Steamroller’s 1984 album “Christmas”, which transports the listener back to childhood.

Digital Christmas music can make it feel like living in a Hallmark movie, while holiday smells and tastes can be introduced through burning candles, diffusing essential oils, and baking pies with the kids.

Materials that make the home feel cozy and cuddly include chunky knit blankets, faux-fur pillows, and fabrics with a hint of sparkle. Drape a festive blanket over the back of your sofa and add a seasonal throw pillow for a mini room makeover that won’t take up much storage space the rest of the year. Lighting can also be used to evoke holiday magic, with simple plug-in dimmers for table lamps turning them from functional to moody and magical. Flickering candles are always welcome, and the warm glow of a fireplace is always welcome.

Lesley Myrick emphasizes that there’s no right or wrong way to decorate for the holiday season, but if it feels like a burden instead of a benefit, choosing simple sensory pleasures over the frenzy of holiday decorating might be the key to capturing the feel of the season you’ve been longing for. By combining holiday tunes, something delicious to snack on, a warm blanket to wrap around you, and ambient lighting, you can create a festive atmosphere that doesn’t feel like a burden.

Where to start decorating for Christmas?

To decorate for Christmas, start by choosing a theme as early as three months before the holiday. Make an inventory of your collection, clean up before decorating, work with a team, and allocate time for gift wrapping. Consider the theme you want to use, when to buy it, and when to put it up and take it down. At Balsam Hill, they have curated festive Christmas tree decorating themes to inspire your holiday.

After selecting a theme, list the items needed and set a budget. If you’re reusing decorations, check their condition and check for damages. Test light bulbs and repair or replace any necessary items.

Why are people decorating for Christmas so early?

Decluttering for the holidays can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. However, by focusing on fun activities like making gingerbread houses, going ice skating, or watching movies, you can save time for family activities and free up weekends for shopping trips or holiday parties. By removing decorating from your list, you can focus on more important items like handmade gifts. Christmas decorations also serve as an olive branch to neighbors, family, and friends, as evidenced by the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

Homes with festive decorations are perceived as more friendly and more likely to connect with new acquaintances. This festive atmosphere can also make you feel ready to host out-of-town friends or host gift swaps.

When should I start decorating for winter?

Late November is a good time to transition from fall to winter in your home. Start with simple evergreen foliage and gradually transition to full-on holiday decorations as Christmas approaches. Use thicker wool or fleece throw pillows and blankets in living, bedroom, and lounge areas for comfort. Add natural details like wood, dried seasonal fruits, and evergreen sprigs for a warm atmosphere. Display candles in groups of different sizes to create a cozy effect at night.

Choose a holiday décor theme, such as traditional reds and greens, winter whites, modern metallics, or jewel tones, and follow the same color palette for evergreens like Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands.

What date do you start putting up Christmas decorations?

Advent Sunday, the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, is a traditional time for Christians to start putting up Christmas decorations. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, meaning ‘coming’ or ‘arrival’. It’s about looking forward to celebrating Jesus’s birth and waiting for Christ’s return. The question of when to take down Christmas decorations is a topic of debate, with some people having fixed ideas and others preferring a more relaxed approach.