Christmas Tree Trimming Debate: When is Too Early?

 
 
 

Ah, the holiday season! It’s that magical time of year when twinkling lights battle for attention with festive music and the sweet smell of cookies fills the air. And what better way to kick it all off than by putting up a Christmas tree? But with stores starting to deck their halls as early as September, the million-dollar question is: “When is the right time to decorate your tree?”

 
 

Some folks like to enjoy the season for as long as possible and erect their trees in early November. Others believe that waiting builds the magic—like the anticipation of waiting for cookies to bake. For them, waiting until after Thanksgiving or the start of December could be the sweet spot.

But timing can become a little complicated. Here’s a rundown of some popular choices:

  • The Day After Thanksgiving (Black Friday): This is the ultimate “Let’s eat turkey and put up a tree!” day. You can decorate while justifying your ornament purchases thanks to all those post-Thanksgiving sales. “What? This glittery snowman was on sale! I needed it!”

 
 
 
 
  • Twelve Days Before Christmas: If you’re a master of suspense, waiting until two weeks before the big day keeps your tree fresh and your anticipation high. It’s like the ultimate countdown!

  • Christmas Eve: Some cultures wait until December 24 to unveil the tree, keeping the holiday magic alive and making you feel like a kid again. Nothing like the last-minute thrill!

 
 
  • First Day of Advent: This is when you can officially roll out the red carpet for your tree, kicking off the festivities. It’s like opening the first door of your Advent calendar—let the fun begin!

 
 

However, if you wander into a store in September, you will see Christmas decorations mingling with Halloween costumes. This “holiday creep” begs the question; “Should we start decorating early, too?

 
 

Some argue that early decorating cranks up the excitement, but others feel the pressure to keep up with retail timelines. So, do we ignore the showroom floors and just wait for our own personal Santa signal?

So where do you find yourself in the age-old debate of when is it too early to deck the halls? Here are the choices:

  • Before Halloween: Mixing ghouls with garlands? For some, a hard pass. Let the pumpkins bask in their glory!

 
 
  • Early November: If you’re itching to embrace the holiday cheer, go for it! Just be prepared for those judging glances from the Thanksgiving purists.

  • Mid-November: Now we’re getting into a sweet compromise. It’s close enough to the holidays to get festive without shoving turkey out of the way.

 
 
  • After Thanksgiving: For traditionalists, this is the golden hour for tree decorating, aligning perfectly with post-feast shopping. “What’s that? A new ornament? Don’t mind if I do!”

 
 

While the debate will undoubtably continue, the truth is that there is no universally correct time to put up a Christmas tree.  Whether you’re a holiday minimalist or a festive maximalist, at the end of the day, it’s all about what works for you. Truthfully, your Christmas tree doesn’t have to go up on a specific day; it just needs to go up when you can muster the energy to make it sparkle.  

And if you’re like most people—juggling a packed schedule, dreaming of hosting the holiday party everyone will be talking about, and trying to avoid that holiday stress—it's time to call in your trusty event planner! We can help you kick off the season with flair and fun. But don’t wait too long—if you’re planning a holiday soiree in 2024, the clock is ticking, and you’ll want to secure your spot before it’s too late.

Happy decorating and happy holidays!

 
Chamel Evans