I looked out my window this morning and was greeted by a neighbor, whistling away and industriously setting up a phalanx of life-sized blow mold Santas, snowmen, and nutcrackers. It’s November 18. The temps are hovering around 70. And, Thanksgiving is still 10 days away. So… when is it too early to decorate for Christmas?
Conventional “wisdom” suggests waiting until after the Macy’s parade is concluded, the leftover turkey is safely stowed in the fridge, and the guests have all departed. However, with Thanksgiving so late this year, I think we can be forgiven for wanting to get a little merriment started. After all, isn’t enjoying a beautifully decorated home part of the magic of the holiday?
Since I will be hosting Thanksgiving again this year, I have two solutions. First, because I have a lot of decorations, I cull my normal bric-a-brac before Thanksgiving. I wash and/or clean it, wrap it in bubble wrap, and stow it away. There’s less to move when it’s time to clean the house just before Thanksgiving Day. And, my rooms are ready to simply place holiday décor wherever it goes.
Second, I decorate the upstairs before Thanksgiving and finish the “public” areas afterward. (The downstairs rooms are currently sporting a generic “fall” theme, more appropriate to Thanksgiving.) This division is partly to save my sanity, as I set up Christmas trees in every room (including all the bedrooms and bathrooms – yes, I am that person). So, purely from a time management perspective, I really need to get a move on.
But I have no trouble admitting, the glow of twinkly lights, the sparkle of glittery glass ornaments, and the pungent fragrance of fresh pine are like a balm to my soul. So, to have the upstairs “Christmas-ready” frankly just makes me happy.
And I am not alone.
According to the experts, Christmas decorations like colorful lights spike dopamine, the feel-good hormone. Psychologist Deborah Serani explained to TODAY, “Chromotherapy, or color therapy, which is thought to increase energy levels and boost happiness, might be at play. Or maybe it’s just the ambiance in general — who can resist smiling at the sight of a Christmas tree being lit for the first time?”
Christmas decorating can even make you more popular! In Martha Stewart’s recent article “Is It Too Early to Decorate for Christmas?” she cites, “A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who were shown photographs of a home that looked merry and bright with Christmas decorations perceived the people who lived there as more friendly and sociable than houses without décor. These decorated houses were seen as more “open” or accessible, regardless of how much the inhabitants commingled with their neighbors.”
Armed with this kind of holiday science, I say let’s haul out the holly!
Looking for some inspiration? Here are some of top tips for creating the holiday you’ve been dreaming of:
- How To Trim An All White Christmas Tree
- Gingerbread House Ideas for a Sweet Christmas
- Using Milk Glass in Christmas Decorating
- 7 Stunning Winter She Sheds Decked Out for the Christmas: Create Your Holiday Escape
- How to Inspire Christmas Nostalgia? Use Vintage Bottle Brush Trees
- How to Display Your Christmas Nutcracker Collection
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Susan Said… WHAT?! is your guide to a life filled with style and was named one of the Top 50 Beauty Blogs in the World by RebateZone. You’ll find everything from fashion, jewelry, beauty and accessories, to gorgeous gardens and stunning interiors and DIY projects, plus the latest ideas events of all kinds. Susan Conforte McNeill is an author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait!