When Should You Decorate For Christmas?
The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without Christmas decorations. Many people look forward to putting up Christmas decorations just as much as the gifts and holiday celebrations. So, when should you decorate for Christmas?
You should decorate for Christmas after Thanksgiving, but you can put the decorations up after Halloween if you want. That may be too early for some homeowners, but it’s a great idea if you want to enjoy the holiday season for as long as possible. Consider an artificial tree if you want a long-term investment, as real trees are only good for one Christmas season and can be quite messy.
That said, real trees are more sustainable and better for the environment. Follow along as we explore when you should decorate for Christmas, so you can get the most out of the holiday season.
When Should You Put Up Christmas Decorations?
There is no iron-clad rule for when you should decorate for Christmas, but many people wait until after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving comes at the end of November, so you still get a month of Christmas decorations if you wait until then. However, some people get into the holiday spirit and decorate for Christmas after Halloween.
If you’re self-conscious about putting Christmas decorations up too early, you can always wait to see what your neighbors do. Pay attention and see when your friends and neighbors put up decorations if you don’t want to be the first person to decorate for Christmas. That said, there’s no reason you can’t be the first person on your street to set up decorations!
It ultimately comes down to your taste and what makes you happy. Studies have shown that you can stimulate your brain’s dopamine response if you put up your Christmas tree as early as November.
Is October Too Early To Put Up Christmas Decorations?
October may be too early to put up Christmas decorations if you plan to celebrate Halloween. Halloween decorations and Christmas decorations are quite different aesthetically. The black and orange color scheme of most Halloween decorations will clash with the red, white, and green colors of Christmas decorations.
Halloween decorations are often spooky and include fake cobwebs, skeletons, and Jack-o-lanterns. Compared to the fun and innocent nature of Christmas decorations, spooky Halloween décor won’t make any sense when you pair them.
That said, you can decorate for Christmas in late October if you don’t celebrate Halloween, but you may be the only person in your neighborhood to do so. It may confuse trick-or-treaters, but that’s your prerogative as a homeowner.
Should You Buy A Real Christmas Tree?
Buy a real Christmas tree if you want the classic smell and look, and buy a fake tree for convenience. Real Christmas trees smell great, but they are also quite messy and that can be annoying. They shed needles, which you can track through your house while walking around.
Aesthetics aside, many people buy real Christmas trees because they are great for the environment. Christmas trees produce oxygen, which is great, but you must also consider the pesticides. People use pesticides to protect the trees as they grow, but they are bad for the environment and animals.
However, real trees are more sustainable and efficient than fake trees because fake trees aren’t recyclable. They will simply sit in landfills and won’t break down, and that’s worse than the pesticides that many real Christmas trees contain. The convenience of artificial trees is enough to make people forget that fact, and that’s why they are so popular.
How Long Do Fake Christmas Trees Last?
Fake Christmas trees typically last between 7 and 20 years, but it depends on materials and how well you take care of them. Most artificial Christmas trees are made of PVC, and that makes them quite durable. How well you store your fake Christmas tree has a lot to do with how long it lasts.
Ideally, you should store the tree in the box that it came with when you bought it. The box is the perfect size for the tree, so you won’t have to worry about damaging it. Store the box in a room that isn’t too hot, cold, or humid to protect the tree.
When Should You Take Down Your Christmas Tree?
You can take your Christmas tree down whenever you want, but most people take it down in early January. Some people take their trees down the day after Christmas, but there’s no reason to rush. Many households celebrate the holiday season until January 1st, but everyone is different.
However, you may get some weird looks if you leave your Christmas decorations up for too long after the big day. It also ruins some of the holiday season magic if you leave your Christmas tree and decorations for too long. They won’t seem as special if the decorations stay up well past Christmas.
Keep your artificial tree’s box so you can easily store the tree and tuck it away after the holiday season. Real Christmas trees come with more possibilities, as you can chop them up to build fires or even make mulch. Chop up the tree and cut the outer layer into fine chips. Scatter the wood chips in your flower beds to protect your plants throughout the winter.
How Much Do Christmas Trees Cost?
Real Christmas trees cost between $30 and $50. The cost depends on the size and type of tree you select, as well as where you buy it from. Conversely, artificial Christmas trees typically start at $70 and cost up to $600 or more.
That may seem like a wide price gap, but that’s because there’s lots of variety when it comes to artificial Christmas trees. For example, a standard 8-to-9-foot artificial Christmas tree without lights may cost as little as $70. High-end artificial Christmas trees with built-in lights are easy to assemble and typically cost over $150.
Artificial Christmas trees are pricier, but you can also use them for years. Real trees are quite cheap, and you can use them for firewood and landscaping. Don’t let the cost discourage you from buying the Christmas tree of your dreams.
Summing It Up
You can decorate for Christmas whenever you want, but many people wait until mid- to late-November. That said, you can put up your Christmas decorations after Halloween if you want to enjoy them for the holiday season if you don’t mind them during Thanksgiving. Many homeowners leave their Christmas decorations up until January 1st and take them down to prepare for the new year.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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