There are two kinds of people in this world: those who hang Christmas lights before the Thanksgiving turkey hits the oven, and those who believe early decorators belong on Santa’s naughty list. Every year, as soon as the last piece of Halloween candy disappears, the debate begins anew. So, when is the right time to decorate for Christmas?
For early birds (like my daughters), there’s no such thing as too soon. The moment the calendar flips to November, they’re climbing ladders, untangling lights, and turning their homes into winter wonderlands. They ask me, why not stretch out the most wonderful time of the year? If twinkle lights and peppermint candles spark joy, who’s to say it’s wrong? After all, isn’t Christmas supposed to be about cheer, not calendars?
Then there are the traditionalists, those stoic defenders of the “after Thanksgiving” rule. They see premature decorating as a form of holiday heresy, an offense against the sanctity of the turkey. For them, Thanksgiving deserves its own moment in the spotlight—a day of gratitude unspoiled by inflatable snowmen lurking in the yard. Only when the last slice of pumpkin pie has been eaten may the bins marked “Christmas” emerge from the attic.
I must admit. Most of my life I have been in that camp. However, the older I get the more open I am to the former argument.
And finally, there’s the third group: the procrastinators. These brave souls find themselves in mid-December staring at a half-strung string of lights, wondering how the neighbor managed to finish in early November. Their decorations often go up around the same time the early decorators are already taking theirs down. They tell themselves they’re “keeping the season alive,” but really, they just misplaced the extension cords.
Retailers, of course, love the early decorators. By mid-October, stores are piping in “Jingle Bells” and swapping out pumpkins for poinsettias. Starbucks starts serving their Pumpkin Spice Lattes when it’s still 90 degrees and break out the Peppermint Mochas before the World Series is over. I am painfully aware of this because, like I said, I have daughters.
Walking into a department store in early November can feel like stepping through a time warp—turkeys to tinsel in a single aisle. It’s no wonder that by the time December 25 actually arrives, some folks are already ready to pack it all up and start fresh for New Year’s.
Psychologists might say that decorating early is a mood booster. Studies have shown that Christmas decorations trigger feelings of nostalgia and happiness, and in stressful times, people crave those warm, familiar comforts. Maybe that’s why lights start twinkling earlier every year. It’s less about rushing the season and more about chasing a little extra joy.
On the other hand, waiting can make the anticipation sweeter. There’s something deeply satisfying about flipping the switch on your lights for the first time on a crisp December evening, knowing you’ve earned that glow after weeks of restraint. It’s like saving the best bite of dessert for last.
In truth, there’s no wrong time to deck the halls. Whether your tree’s been up since November 1 or you’re still wrestling with the light strands on December 20, Christmas decorating is less about timing and more about spirit. The world can always use a little more sparkle, a little more joy, and maybe even a few too many blinking lights.
So, when’s the right time to decorate for Christmas? The simple answer: whenever your heart says it’s time. Just try not to plug in those lights before the trick-or-treaters have gone home – or at least wait until the Halloween spider webs come down. Even Santa would agree that ghosts and garland don’t mix.
