‘Twas the Christmas before Thanksgiving: When should you decorate?

With decorations already showing up on store shelves and Hallmark’s annual Countdown To Christmas kicking off in October, an increasing number of people are getting into the holiday spirit much earlier.

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Flocked and decorated Christmas decorations by Rent-A-Christmas at Industry Kitchen 2018, NYC

Everyone loves seeing Christmas Trees and other festive decorations during the holiday season, but did you know that some people leave their decorations up year-round? Former professional wrestler Mick Foley actually has a Christmas room in his home that is decorated all year long. While it would be nice to sit in the twinkling glow of a fully decorated tree whenever you need a little holiday cheer, that just isn’t practical for most people. So, when is the right time to decorate for the rest of us?

According to a recent YouGov survey, most individuals tend to decorate between Thanksgiving and the first week of December. A growing number of families actually decorate Thanksgiving weekend but wait until the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony before turning everything on. Since a live Christmas tree lasts between 4-5 weeks when properly maintained, this timeframe falls perfectly in line with tradition. This also keeps some level of separation between the holidays despite the fact that many decorations, such as garland and wreaths, can actually compliment harvest decor.

However, with decorations already showing up on store shelves and Hallmark’s annual Countdown To Christmas kicking off in October, an increasing number of families are getting into the holiday spirit much earlier. Psychotherapist Amy Morin provided some insight into the reason behind this growing phenomenon in an interview with Unilad. She claims, “Nostalgia helps link people to their personal past and it helps people understand their identity. For many putting up Christmas decorations early is a way for them to reconnect with their childhoods.” Earlier this year, a similar study that showed the effects of watching Christmas movies went viral, especially when watched outside the month of December. The study found viewers were generally happier, with strong feelings of stress relief and nostalgia.

In addition to the emotional health benefits, decorating early can be good for business. Decorations create a warm and inviting atmosphere, while traditional Christmas colors like red and silver are known to draw the eyes of customers. With consumer spending increased during the holidays, for businesses looking to maximize revenue, it makes sense to extend the holiday season. There’s a reason why theme parks like Disney World and Six Flags begin their annual Christmas celebrations in early November.

Disney World Soldier

When it really comes down to it though, the choice on when to decorate for the holidays is entirely up to you. As professional Christmas decorators, one thing that we can never stress enough is that it’s never too early to plan ahead, with many professional commercial Christmas displays taking 3-6 months to organize. Whether you are an early adopter, a traditionalist or a procrastinator, Rent-A-Christmas is here to help.

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