Family, love, and togetherness are at the heart of the Christmas concept. The Christmas tree is the physical representation of all that. Christmas trees and decorations seem to appear earlier each year. What is the best time to erect your Christmas tree? While there is no definitive answer to this question, many people follow various traditions. Some make it connected to a date that is special to the family. For some, it could depend on if they are on their own or hosting family or friends during Christmas. Also, it could depend on putting up an artificial or natural tree. So, here are some popular traditions and ideas you can use as a guideline to decide when you should start your Christmas decorations.
Go with the flow
If you like to keep up with the trend and do what most people do, you should start decorating for Christmas and put up your tree on December 01. This is also the most sensible option if you plan to use a natural tree. Fresh, green trees can last up to 4 weeks if properly cared for. And you can even stretch it to 5 weeks if you take good care of it by keeping it away from heat sources such as fireplaces and radiators.
Right after Halloween
Halloween is the warm-up for the Christmas celebration for some people. If you agree, after you take down the Halloween decorations on October 31, you can start your Christmas decorations and put up the Christmas tree on November 01. A tradition like this is something young kids would fully endorse and want to adopt. They’d be excited about the transition between celebrations. An additional benefit of putting up the tree earlier is that it can uplift your mood and make you feel happy. According to psychologists, Christmas decorations could spike dopamine, the feel-good hormone that affects your happiness levels and boost your mood. Also, if you put up the Christmas tree early, you have a place to keep all the Christmas presents, except the kids’ presents.
Connect it with a family event
Some families put up the tree and start decorating on a birthday or anniversary before Christmas. You could also make it a tradition with a date that means something to your family.
For the empty nesters and those of a certain age, Christmas may not be as exciting as it used to be. Then you can put up the tree 12 days before Christmas.
On the day your guests arrive
If you plan to have family or friends over for Christmas, you can put the tree up on the day they arrive. The presence of a fully decorated Christmas tree will add an extra layer of warmth to their welcome. Alternatively, you might want to invite your guests to participate in decorating the tree once they arrive at your house.
Follow the European tradition
If you want to follow the exact tradition practiced by the ancient Europeans, you will put up your Christmas tree just before Christmas Eve. Putting up the tree and decorating it any day before Christmas is bad luck. But nowadays, it will be regarded as way too late.
At the end of the day, you are the one who decides. When should you put up your Christmas tree? Luckily, there are no hard and fast rules. Take out the star, baubles, and ornaments, decorate your tree and follow your bliss whenever it’s appropriate for you and your family.