The time between trick-or-treating, turkey-eating, and Christmas card greetings is always marked by a variety of decorations bedecking houses. Some are still displaying half-decayed jack-o’-lanterns, others have already strung up twinkling holiday lights, and a few may even have an inflatable turkey sitting across their front lawn. Within this jumble of orange, red, and green lies a debatable question: what is the best time to put up Christmas decorations? While there is no definitive answer, the weekend after Thanksgiving certainly provides the most balance between fall and winter while also maximizing the cheerful, highly-anticipated festive season.
With only a few days left until December, it presents the ideal opportunity to unpack ornaments, wreaths, and other boxes of decor items with family before the busy holiday agenda starts. This can help save a considerable amount of stress; between gift shopping, deadlines, and assessments, finding a moment to set up the Christmas tree can be difficult. Additionally, people likely already feel the festive spirits after sharing a warm Thanksgiving meal around the dinner table. Taking this time to embellish the house will heighten cozy sentiments while also creating a smooth transition into Christmas.
However, other people may believe that decorating earlier is more sensible. As the days grow shorter, many want to bring brightness into their lives by stringing up Christmas lights the instant the last trick-or-treater leaves their front door, just before the weather turns unfavorable for decorating outdoors. Others may not be as excited by Thanksgiving decor—or the celebration as a whole—and prefer to skip over cornucopias to Christmas trees. While this does lengthen the time spent with festive decor, it can dilute the excitement behind Christmas. Consequently, by the time the day arrives, the decorations feel less special and even somewhat wearing to look at.
Ultimately, putting up decorations should foster a sense of physical and emotional warmth, happiness, and connection—both interpersonal and, for some, spiritual. Beginning this process in late November is not only most consistent with the calendar, but also illuminates our lives with just the right amount of Christmas spirit that we all need and cherish.
