Inside: Is decking the halls stressing you out? Here’s the easiest way to decide when to decorate for Christmas.
Every year, the great debate begins. When to put up the Christmas decorations.
People have decided opinions about when to start decorating for the holidays. Too early and you’re labeled a fanatic. Too late and you have less Christmas spirit than Scrooge.
But how soon is too soon? And, how late is too late?
Usually, I ponder this question when munching on leftover Halloween candy.
See I never stay in my own home for Thanksgiving. That means no day after Thanksgiving holiday decorating.
And by the time I return home on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I feel like I’ve lost precious holiday decorating time.
But that pile of laundry won’t clean itself no matter how long I stare at it with Matilda eyes. And if I drag the Christmas tree from the garage that evening, we all know that box will sit unopened in the hall for at least a few days.
So, do I wait until the following weekend to start decorating? Turning Christmas decorating into a weekend project makes sense. But then I’ll lose an entire week of enjoying my Christmas decorations.
Gah. Do I deck the halls before I leave for Thanksgiving?
When to decorate for Christmas has suddenly turned more stressful than Black Friday shopping.
Where Do You Fit on the Jolly Scale? Here Are The Different Types of Christmas Decorators
Everyone has an opinion about the ultimate time to decorate for Christmas. And it runs the whole spectrum.
From the-wreath-is-on-the-door-before-the-pumpkins-even-go-bad to does-a-red-coffee-mug-count-as-Christmas-cheer?
If you ask people when they decorate for Christmas, you’ll probably get a version of these responses:
- “Holiday decorations aren’t my thing.”
- “Decorating early is tacky.”
- “Mine go up in mid-December.”
- “The beginning of November, so I can savor the season”
- “Like clockwork, the Christmas decorations go up the day after Thanksgiving.”
- “Christmas above everything! I’m ready to put them out in October.”
Your typical holiday decorator probably falls into one of these categories.
The immediately after Halloween decorator
As soon as the stores discount the Halloween candy, you’re thinking about the Christmas season.
While you may not put up your Christmas tree immediately, you’re in the basement searching for the Christmas boxes after the trick-or-treaters have left.
You also grab a few holiday items from the Target Dollar Spot the day after Halloween. After all, you want to nab the good stuff before it gets picked over.
And your house is decked out in holiday gear by the beginning of November.
The day after Thanksgiving decorator
You stick to the tried-and-true.
Decorating the day after Thanksgiving gives you the best of both worlds.
You can still enjoy fall but you get a jumpstart on the holidays, too. You put all the Christmas décor up in one swoop instead of going shopping on Black Friday.
The December 1 decorator
You feel that December is an acceptable time to start decorating for the holidays.
The fall décor stays out in your home a couple weeks longer than other people.
Then, you put up the Christmas decorations once December hits.
The lights go up on the house. The Christmas tree brightens the front window. The wreaths add cheer to the doors. And you’re exhausted. But cheery.
The un-decorator
When to decorate for Christmas? How bout never?
You do not decorate for the holidays.
Your friends and family may call you the Grinch, but while they spend hours tearing down Christmas decorations, you put your feet up and eat leftover pumpkin pie.
So really, who’s the winner?
Here’s the Easiest Way to Decide When to Decorate for Christmas
But you probably want an answer to the mother of all questions.
No, not ‘Is pumpkin or pecan pie better?’
The big question.
When is the best time to start decorating for Christmas?
Here’s the thing. I don’t think a right or wrong time exists.
It’s up to you. Don’t let anyone dictate your decorating sister.
You don’t need to feel ashamed if you start holiday decorating early. And if you don’t want to put up a Christmas tree ever, go you.
What matters most is surrounding yourself with things you love in your home.
Decorating is about creating an environment that makes you happy. And if putting up 20 Christmas trees makes you feel jollier than a reindeer, then put up 20 Christmas trees.
However your Christmas decorating happens is how it should happen.
So, what about me?
Well, I’m one of those crazies who likes to put up Christmas decorations early.
I adore the anticipation of the season.
If I wait to decorate, I feel cheated. I want to savor the excitement as long as possible.
Sometimes my holiday decorating happens organically. I don’t really think about when to decorate for Christmas. It just happens. I start with an arrangement of mini Christmas trees on a shelf. Then, I replace the fall wreath with a Christmas wreath. Maybe I’ll add some cut branches in a vase. Or, I’ll keep the pinecones in a display but remove the pumpkins. These small changes happen over time. All before the Christmas tree ever goes up.
Or, sometimes it happens all at once.
Christmas storage boxes scatter across the living room floor. One minute the house is a blank canvas. The next, it looks like Christmas exploded. Kind of like when Buddy the Elf transforms Gimbels into a winter wonderland overnight.
The anticipation of Christmas is almost always more exciting than the actual day.
It’s the same as going on vacation. You crave the anticipation of the event. The planning. The daydreaming about your big trip. That build up makes you the happiest.
Why do you think we count down the days to Christmas?
So, if I can have a whole month of excitement, I say the earlier the better.
But don’t worry. That’s just me. The absolute best time to put up Christmas decorations is entirely up to you.
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