When To Deck The Halls: Christmas Decorations Timing

There's no right or wrong answer for when to put up Christmas decorations, but there are several traditions and beliefs around the best time to start decking the halls. Some people put their decorations up as soon as Halloween ends, while others wait until the first day of Advent, which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. There are also those who choose to decorate their homes on the first of December or even in November.

The history of Christmas decorations

The use of green fir trees as decorations has its roots in pagan traditions during Roman times, when people celebrated the winter solstice and festivals like Saturnalia, the Roman festival of lights. These trees were decorated with natural elements like pine cones, berries, and nuts, and later with candles and handmade ornaments. The "modern" Christmas tree, however, emerged much later in the 15th or 16th century among Christians in modern-day Germany, who used the tree as a symbol of everlasting life with God. This is when classic ornaments like the angel at the top of the tree and the German bulb-shaped ornament first appeared.

German immigrants brought these Christmas tree traditions to America in the 18th and 19th centuries, but they were initially rejected by Puritanical religious groups due to their pagan associations. However, a pivotal moment came in the late 1840s when a published image of Queen Victoria, who was known to be fond of German Christmas traditions, and her family celebrating around a decorated evergreen tree circulated in the US. This led to wealthy Americans embracing the practice, and soon large shipments of German-made ornaments were imported, and American artisans began creating their own decorations.

The electrification of Christmas trees in the late 19th century further revolutionised the way people decorated. In 1882, Edward Hibberd Johnson, an inventor and vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, replaced the candles on his tree with specially made electric bulbs. This innovation sparked widespread interest, and by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mass production of Christmas decorations, including bulb ornaments, made them more accessible and affordable to the general public.

Today, Christmas decorations come in various forms, from woven and glass-blown ornaments to those made from porcelain, metal, wood, or expanded polystyrene. They are often put up in late November or early December, coinciding with the start of Advent, and are a source of joy and community for many people around the world.

The benefits of early decoration

It Could Make You Happier

Putting up Christmas decorations early has been found to make people happier. Several psychotherapists have explained that people often associate Christmas decorations with feelings of nostalgia and childhood excitement. Even if this feeling is mixed with sadness for a lost loved one, decorating may help connect to positive memories of that friend or family member.

It'll Make Your Neighbors Like You

A recent scientific study found that people tend to rate the residents of houses adorned with Christmas decorations as more friendly and sociable. The decorated houses are seen as more "open" or accessible, regardless of whether their inhabitants actually interact much with their neighbors. This fosters a sense of community and is a great way to display your Christmas wreaths with pride.

Christmas Desserts

Early holiday decorating is a good reason to dust off that Santa-shaped cookie jar. Colorful treats are decorations in their own right, and there's no reason why you can't enjoy them any day of the year.

It’s Getting Cold (and Dark)

As the weather gets colder in the early winter months, there's no reason not to get out your coziest Christmas decor. You can also put up string lights and light evergreen-scented candles to beat the winter blues.

To Show Off Your DIYs

You can show off your holiday DIY projects or get a head start on them. It's a great opportunity to make a wreath, decorate ornaments for the annual exchange, and prep a Christmas card display before all the holiday mail starts coming in.

To Enjoy Them Longer

Putting up Christmas decorations can be a lot of work, so why not put them up earlier and leave more time to sit back and appreciate your efforts? You could even experiment with a new Christmas color scheme for your home this year.

The best time to put up a real tree

There is no definitive answer to the question of when to put up a Christmas tree, and the answer will vary depending on who you ask. Some people will say that the Christmas tree goes up when the Christmas decorations go up, and others will have specific dates in mind.

The Victorian way

During the Victorian period, Christmas trees were traditionally put up much later in December, often on the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

The Advent

Advent is the period before Christmas which celebrates the birth of Jesus, and is a period of preparation. The occasion can be marked with an Advent candle and Advent wreath. Tradition dictates that Christmas trees should be put up at the beginning of Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This year, Advent begins on Sunday 3rd December 2023.

The British Christmas Tree Growers' Association

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association advises that real trees should not be purchased earlier than 1 December. The tree should survive for at least four weeks, and proper care could help it last longer.

The weekend before Christmas

Some people prefer to put up their Christmas tree closer to the day itself. A poll by TheJournal.ie found that the most popular time to put up a real tree was the weekend before Christmas, with 229 votes.

Twelfth Night

According to Christian tradition, the Christmas tree should stay up until the 'Twelfth Night', which celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men, or Magi, who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring their gifts to baby Jesus. The Twelfth Night falls on either 5 or 6 January, depending on which Christian calendar you follow.

Christmas decoration safety

Christmas is a time of celebration, joy, and tradition. Decorating your home is a fun and festive way to celebrate the season. However, it is important to follow some safety tips to ensure that your family and friends stay safe around your decorative displays. Here are some instructions to help keep everyone safe:

Planning Your Display

Plan your display according to the number and location of available power outlets. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and use LED lights where possible, as they run cooler, use less energy, and last longer than incandescent lights. Look for safety certification marks from nationally recognized laboratories when choosing your lights. Never exceed the maximum number of strings or devices that can be linked together, as indicated on the decoration packaging.

Inspecting Lights and Decorations

Carefully inspect all lights and decorations for any defects such as cracks, damaged sockets, or loose/bare wires prior to use. These issues can pose a serious risk of fire or electrical shock. If you find any damaged items, discard and replace them.

Decorating Outdoors

When decorating the outside of your home, maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet between yourself, your decorations, and equipment from power lines. Ensure that your decorations are well-ventilated, protected from the weather, and kept away from flammable items. Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when putting up electrical decor and lights outside, as metal ladders can conduct electricity.

Handling Electrical Lights and Decorations

Unplug all electric lights, devices, and decorations before installing or replacing bulbs, changing parts, or making any repairs. Always plug outdoor lights and decorations into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of electric shock. You can purchase portable GFCIs for outdoor use from electrical supply stores. Never staple, nail, or fasten electrical wires or extension cords in a way that might damage the wire or insulation, as this could lead to electrical shock or fire.

Candle Safety

If possible, use battery-operated candles instead of traditional candles to avoid the hazards of an open flame. If you choose to use traditional candles, place them away from flammable materials, including other decorations, fabrics, plastic, or paper products. Never leave a lit candle unattended, and always extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to bed.

Storing Decorations

Before storing your decorations, inspect them and discard any damaged items. Store your decorations in a dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets, as well as away from heat sources and open flames. Stack boxes in a stable location, preferably in a corner, and never stack them higher than eye level to avoid injury or damage from toppling.

How long should decorations stay up?

There is no definitive answer to how long Christmas decorations should stay up, and it is ultimately an individual choice. However, there are some traditions and beliefs that people follow when deciding how long to keep their decorations up.

In terms of wider decorations such as lights, there are fewer dictating traditions. Some people choose to take their decorations down before the turn of the new year. According to research by Hammonds Furniture, 24% of UK households stick to the traditional date of the Twelfth Night to pack away their decorations.

The Twelfth Night celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men, or Magi, who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring their gifts to baby Jesus. The date of the Twelfth Night depends on when you start counting the 12 Days of Christmas. The Church of England counts from Christmas Day, making the Twelfth Night the 5th of January. Other denominations, including the Catholic Church, start counting from Boxing Day, making the Twelfth Night the 6th of January, which is also the Feast of Epiphany.

Some people believe it is bad luck to leave their decorations up beyond the Feast of Epiphany. However, in medieval times in the United Kingdom, people kept their Christmas decorations up until Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ, which falls on the 2nd of February.

There are also practical considerations that may influence how long decorations stay up, such as the lifespan of a real Christmas tree or the cost of energy associated with multiple strings of fairy lights.

Frequently asked questions