The official day to start decorating your home, including your tree and Christmas wreath, is traditionally on Advent Sunday, the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. However, many people have their own preferences for when to decorate for Christmas. Most people start decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving and after Thanksgiving, but before December. Conventional wisdom holds that Christmas decorations should go up on the first day of Advent, the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. In 2023, that’s Sunday, December 3rd.
There are various ways to decorate for Christmas, depending on your location and enthusiasm. Some traditions dictate that to avoid bad luck, you should avoid decorating on the first day of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. However, it’s up to you when to decorate for Christmas, especially because your location and enthusiasm may impact the exact timing. A middle ground can be achieved by adding décor as the weeks get closer.
When it comes to putting up your Christmas tree, most agree that sometime soon after Thanksgiving is the ideal time. It was once considered the general rule of thumb to wait until after Thanksgiving before decorating for Christmas, but in modern times, that no longer holds true. Most people wait until the end of November, straight after Thanksgiving, or until the beginning of December to put up their Christmas decorations. Tradition dictates that Christmas trees and decorations should go up on the first day of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
📹 How early is too early to start decorating for Christmas?
Our Cityline experts share holiday family traditions—and when they think it’s time to start decorating for Christmas.
How soon is too soon to put up Christmas decorations?
Black Friday is the earliest time to set up a Christmas tree or decorate with Christmas-specific trimmings, as it prevents the tree from stealing the thunder of the big turkey dinner and may lead to earlier setup and takedown. If your holiday decor is neutral, you can decorate with certain elements earlier. However, if it has a speck of red, a reindeer, or Santa Claus, it’s best left for post-Thanksgiving decorating. If holiday decorating creates more stress than joy, wait until Christmas Eve to make it a family tradition and prepare your home for Santa Claus the night before the big day.
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.
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.
Is it OK to put Christmas decorations up 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.
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 early should I 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.
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.
Are you happier if you decorate for Christmas early?
The practice of early Christmas decorating, as confirmed by psychologist Deborah Serani, has been demonstrated to enhance one’s moods by creating a neurological shift that can lead to feelings of happiness.
Is November 1st too early to decorate for Christmas?
The traditional rule of waiting until after Thanksgiving before decorating for Christmas has changed, with people getting excited for the holiday earlier than ever. Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson suggests that people start shopping for Christmas decorations as early as August. To incorporate Christmas into fall and Thanksgiving décor, Johnson suggests starting with solid staples and then switching out accessories.
This gradual approach allows for a more enjoyable and festive holiday experience for friends and family. By incorporating Christmas into your home decor gradually, you can ease the transition from one holiday to another.
Can I put my Christmas tree up in November?
Real Christmas trees have a shorter lifespan of 4-6 weeks with proper care. To keep your tree up until New Year’s Eve, it’s best to wait until late November or early December. If you’re considering an artificial Christmas tree, check out our guide to weigh the pros and cons. Some people tie putting up the tree to religious traditions, such as Advent, which starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
When can I decorate my house for Christmas?
There is no right or wrong time to start decorating your house for Christmas, and you can display festive items whenever you like without judgement. However, if you want a real Christmas tree, garland, or wreath, it is best to pre-order for delivery in mid-December to ensure it lasts into the new year. A real garland and wreath will look good for around the same period. It is important to have enough time to decorate, as it can take a while to complete a whole room or decorate a tree. Smaller decorations like advent calendars, Christmas cards, or scented candles can be done quickly, but larger decorations require more time.
📹 CHRISTMAS DECORATING | Watch this BEFORE You Start Decorating for Christmas!!
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I remember seeing you in your moms articles YEARS ago…I always thought you were so pretty and really sweet and remember thinking “if I had an older sister- I would’ve wanted her to be like you!” I have loved perusal you grow from working with your mom and brother in articles into this website and your journey getting married and making your house into a home! Can’t wait to see more of your creative ideas! ❤️
I’ve seen your stuff and you’re moms stuff for about 6 years now I started perusal you’re moms articles so I could learn to decorate my room but I ultimately learned from you on how to decorate a small apartment and now my home is beautiful thanks to you love you so much you are awesome and I love the tips you give they have really helped me with decorating every room 😘❤️
Thank you Sharrah! I love it. Can you do an updated apartment tour? Can you also do like holiday drinks and homey snacks for guests? I realize that might be slightly out of scope but I’d love it! Oh, and I’ve been following since forever, both you and your mom, I remember roommate articles and more. Well before the wedding! Can you also do a skincare article? Your skin is literally (almost annoyingly) perfect and you’re so pretty.
I forget when I started following, I saw an old article on your mom’s website where she re-did your beach studio and found you. I’m SOOO excited you’re doing a Christmas series! We close on our first house together in 2 weeks and I already know where the tree is going (and that I need a newer taller one).
Good ideas! I’m older than most of your subscribers AO I’m pairing down rather than buying. I have so ma y ornaments and decorations it’s ridiculous!! So this year it will be a PURGE! Actually rather exciting! Wish you younger folks were here! You would be welcome to my excess! And maybe after the holidays you can do a couple of articles on organizing your garage! It would be a benefit to you AND your viewers! I LOVE being able to walk out there and KNOW where the ribbons, bead garlands, and seasonal items are! Imagine ALL the sphagnum moss in ONE BIN! Lolol🌹
When you and your roommates had the makeover with your mom. I never use to comment in those days😊 not sure why i think it was still understanding the sub and bell thing😂 love your website and also still support your mom’s website too… you both are such amazing women and very talented. Always enjoy perusal… thank you so much for sharing♡ hugs♡
I started following you for your diys. Not sure how long but then I realized Rebecca was your mom and that’s when I started perusal both of you more often I think. Sometimes you follow so many people you get lost on who’s who so once I made that connection it was more solid in my mind and i enjoy both of your articles.
Great vid! If you fail to plan you plan to fail! I’ve been perusal FOREVER 😄 I’m pretty sure I found you through your mom years ago. Love you both ❤❤❤ While I’m here I wanted to suggest a article differentiating between farmhouse and barnyard 😁 I’m not into farmhouse personally but I still love decor articles and so many make the mistake of decorating barnyard in an attempt to do farmhouse heeheehee
Hi. I started following you I think around thr time your mom was filming her new office series or back during one of the Christmas series. I know definitely before you got married. Maybe when you and your mom worked on your apartment. I’m not sure which series came first. Just kmow kits been a while. Love you keep them coming.
I have been perusal since you did you beautiful dorm room when you went to college. I was so much in awe of how amazing the space looked. It was totally your style but what I loved most was it was on a budget. You can leave it to Rebecca to create magic even with a small space. I have following you and you mom since.
I juuuuust started following you a few weeks ago. I was looking for ideas on how to decorate my apartment. I thought I wanted a boho chic style. But I ran across your article on figuring out which style people are, and I found out I absolutely love the farmhouse style! Anyway, I’ve been obsessed with your articles ever since! Christmas is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HOLIDAY so I’m super stoked to watch your upcoming articles!!!!❤️
Hey Sharrah! I discovered you this year in 2018!:) Because of your organization & decor tips for small spaces! And I fell in love with you ever since! And coindentally later, I discovered your mom Rebecca and found out that you two were mother daughter and I’m subscribed to BOTH of your websites! But I found YOU first! 🙂 I love to binge-watch these kinds of articles! 🙂 They make me happy and inspire me! 🙂
I’ve been following your mom since around 2009 or 2010 and LOVE her content. Because I happily support your mother’s website, I naturally wanted to support you and your endeavors, so I started following you back near the beginning when you were doing fashion articles! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed perusal you grow, mature and evolve into the lovely lady you are today!
I remember perusal the Back to School DIY Dorm headboard, you did like different options of decoration. Your brother used to be in the articles. I might not be the oldest but I definitely have been perusal you and your mom for the past 3 years, 4 Christmas later. I saw your proposal, all the Wednesday Wedding articles, and all the new apartment hunt and decor!!! Happy Holidays!!!
I think I’ve started following this website since about a year ago, through making the most of a small space series as in that period I got my own apartment (36 m2) so your articles really really helped me with decorating and arranging everything! ^^ so much so, that to this day I still get compliments from friends that visit. ALSO … really looking forward to Christmas holidays (and new articles ^^), in Serbia we have it on January the 7th but I’m thinking about pulling out the tree and decorations ever since the Halloween passed! xD
I started perusal your mom’s articles first and then at one point she took a trip to Italy with YOU!! (Long time ago) Then I started perusal Scott’s articles before he moved to Chicago and then back to San Diego area. But I was so excited to see you in any of RR’s articles so I think I’ve watched your website from the start!! xoxo 😘
Flat backed Christmas tree?! 🤯 Eyes are opened! I’m British but live in Australia and Christmas never seems like such a big deal here as it’s the start of our summer holidays. Come Boxing Day, people are pulling their trees down and heading off into the sun. It’s hard to decorate for a summer tree… I miss a winter Christmas. I will just watch you do it over the coming weeks. Subscribed. 😊
Great topic – here are some extra ideas: I recommend trying the guest bed for at least one night – is it comfortable? Do you have extra blankets (especially if you live in the frozen north )? How’s the lighting – can you read in bed? Is there night lights to help your guests navigate to the bathroom.? Is their an extra plugin wall socket (and/or power strip)? hope this helps wow your guests.
I always get sooo excited for the holidays but look around my sparce home and start to get overwhelmed and then don’t do much. Also, budgeting, merp. Wish we made more money just so I could make my home a winter wonderland!! 🤗 I’m so full of nostalgia around the holidays and my son has already asked to decorate already today – Nov 1! He’s like his momma – loves the nostalgia of Christmas! ❤️
I’ve been following you since before Christmas last year! I want to know how do you choose a personal style for Christmas! I like so many different things. Last year I started my collection and it was I guess traditional glam but now I like the flocked tree that is glam and neutral and also the mixed pattern buffalo plaid check look!!! I’m so confused that I can’t move past that! So…any advice on how to decide?!?
I have been following your mom and then you when you started your website, so awesome I really enjoy this website so inspirational . I have space issues so I have gotten a slim line tree which is tall but does not take up lots of space, looking forward to your Christmas decor, can’t wait so excited 😆 💖💕😍💃🏻🇹🇹
I’m so excited, I’m already thinking about Christmas shopping and planning what I will buy for people! It’s my favorite part of the holidays. I ordered a hoodie and flannel for my boyfriend today. I have been perusal you for almost a year- I found you when you did your first interior design for Ashley and Alisha.
Would you please do a article on how to STORE all of the different items for the various holiday seasons? Your mom seems to have the storage system down pat and even though we don’t have nearly as many decorations (or storage room), it would help if their was a tried and true storage system that could be replicated.