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Every year the great debate of when to start decorating for the holidays resurfaces. Do you uncover your ornament boxes at the first sign of frost, or do you wait for each holiday to come and pass before setting your eyes on the next one?
Whether you’re ready to break out your artificial tree or are still donning pumpkins and Halloween decorations on the front porch, there’s no perfect answer for when to decorate for Christmas, Hanukkah, or any holiday for that matter. But for practical tips and advice for the upcoming season ahead, we’ve rounded up a few expert opinions to support or sway your opinion and help you feel prepared for a festive holiday season.
Here’s when to decorate for Christmas and other seasonal December holidays.
The great debate: When to decorate for Christmas?
Believe it or not, putting up trees and garland too early can leave you with dried pine needles all over your home before the big day even arrives.
There are numerous reasons to wait to decorate for holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas. For starters, many people feel that decorating early, like in October and early November, can minimize and overshadow other holidays.
Another reason to hold off on setting up your Christmas tree and wreaths has to do with safety. Even with the best Christmas tree stand, Christmas trees dry out, and over the course of a few weeks they drop pine needles. They smell fresh and lovely, but they won’t survive indoors forever, which can result in a fire hazard.
At the earliest, we recommend setting up a real Christmas tree the weekend of Thanksgiving and taking it down by the first week of January. That four-to-five-week window ensures your tree and living décor will still look and smell fresh on Christmas Day.
Secure your Christmas tree with a stand that will keep it hydrated and steady.
Is there such a thing as too early to decorate?
On the other side of the argument are people who say it’s never too early to string up the lights. Why wait for the calendar to catch up with your holiday spirit? If you feel full of energy rather than dread when thinking of decorating, that's your time to hang the garland.
These bright lights will illuminate this season and next.
So, when should you decorate for Christmas?
It’s up to you when to decorate for Christmas, especially because your location and enthusiasm may impact the exact timing. You can aim for a middle ground and add in décor as the weeks get closer to December.
Items like wreaths and bows can be just as fall-centric as they are for the winter holidays. As the big day approaches, you can add in more decorations, like the best Christmas inflatables and a tree. With some items already placed it won’t be so overwhelming.
Frost your home with this winter wreath.
Welcome Santa's postal workers into your yard.
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