As the air grows colder and the holiday season begins to set in, it raises the age-old question: When is it too early to start to decorate for Christmas? Traditionally, people start decorating the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday. However, the trend has started to shift in recent years. Many families have started decorating for the holiday season earlier than usual. According to todayshomeowner.com, 34% of Americans put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, while 18% will wait until Dec 1st.
It’s never too early to decorate
Decorating early can have many positive benefits, such as impacts on your emotional well-being and social well-being.
Pros of early decorating
Decorating early can boost mood as well as better develop social connections. Taking part in a positive activity, such as decorating your home for Christmas can boost mood. The idea comes from cognitive behavioral therapy. The idea of “acting as if” can result in a change in emotion, as reported by psychologytoday.com. “It makes me feel very proud and confident in my ability to decorate. It also makes me feel a lot happier,” said Beshoy Wahapa, a student from Colonia High school.
Decorating early can also signal friendliness to your neighbors. People might look at others with decorated homes as more welcoming. The positive perception can let neighbors have more time to enjoy your decorations and create better connections with one another.
Additionally, decorating for the holidays early can result in the feeling of nostalgia. When people decorate early, they embrace the nostalgic feelings associated with celebrating the season. This can create a warm atmosphere, as reported by vitalrecord.tamu.edu. “Nostalgia can increase both optimistic perceptions of self and the future, which may lend to the positive emotions and comfort people experience related to holiday decorations,” wrote Kelly Sopchak, PhD, in an article for Vital Record.
Cons of early decorating
While decorating early has many benefits, some people might find that it takes away from the holiday season. When people rush in to the holiday season and decorate too early, the excitement of the holidays might wear off before the season starts, which can make it feel like the Christmas spirit is diminished.
For many, advent calendars play a huge part in the holiday season. When people rush into the holidays, advent calendars might be ignored. It can also take away from Thanksgiving, which is an important holiday to many.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the right time to decorate depends on personal preference. For some people, decorating their homes early might make the holiday season last a little longer. Others may have different opinions on early holiday decorating. Some believe that starting too early can detract from the excitement of the season and lead to higher expenses. They might argue that waiting until closer to the holiday allows for a more authentic experience and prevents overspending on decorations.
However, it’s essential to weigh these viewpoints for your own preferences and circumstances. Consider what brings you joy and comfort this holiday season. Ultimately, the decision should reflect your individual values and budget.
