When is the right time to put up your Christmas tree and decorations? Each year, the anticipation of Christmas seems to start a little earlier and 2021 is already breaking new records based on online search data. But there are many different traditions and beliefs when it comes to the best time to start decorating your home for Christmas.

Once upon a time…

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

Straight after Halloween

For some, Christmas decorations go up as soon as Halloween ends on 31st October, and so Christmas lovers embrace 1st November as the start of the festive season and begin decorating their home at this time.

Shopping insights reveal decorations are going up early this year

2020 was truly a year like no other, and this year, data from some of the UK’s biggest retailers reveal that it will be the biggest Christmas yet, with customers shopping for decorations earlier than ever.

For example, Christmas online searches on Selfridges.com has more than quadrupled by 225 per cent ahead of forecast, with Selfridges London opening its Christmas Shop with 12 weeks to go. John Lewis opened its online Christmas Shop at the beginning of September after reporting that online searches for Christmas products were double last year’s record high (up 105 per cent), with the most searched for products including Christmas trees, lights and wreaths.

And, according to the Tesco Christmas Report 2021, nearly a third (32 per cent) of the nation say they are looking forward to Christmas more than usual. More than one in 10 (12 per cent) families plan on putting the tree and decorations up by the end of November.

But, putting Christmas decorations up early actually makes you happy…

Psychoanalyst, Steve McKeown, told UNILAD that putting up Christmas decorations early extends the excitement of the festive season. It acts as an ‘anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions’ and so ultimately makes you happier.

Psychologist, Deborah Serani, also told TODAY Home that decorating your home for Christmas early can ‘create that neurological shift that can produce happiness’, explaining: ‘Christmas decorating will spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone.’

Frosted Fir Pre-Lit Christmas Tree, £375, Cox & Cox

COX & COX