People are already putting their Christmas trees up - too soon?
British people tend to fall into two categories.
Those who would happily put their Christmas tree up on Christmas Eve and take it down on New Year’s Day, and those who have been decking the halls with boughs of holly for weeks already.
So, who already has their tree up? YouTuber, Nicol Concilio, posed the question to her followers on Twitter this week.
Who has their Christmas tree up
— NICOL CONCILIO (@nicolconcilio) November 12, 2019
Me, for a week now.” One Christmas-loving person replied, complete with a photo of her green and red-themed tree.
“I had mine up the day after Halloween.” Another tweet proudly announced.
Even singer and presenter, Frankie Bridge, shared a look at her festive-house - complete with tree - on Instagram Stories last week.
Me!! For a week now! pic.twitter.com/IufbTO3PHZ
— 💕Leah Reid 💕 (@LeahReeeid) November 12, 2019
i had my christmas tree the day after halloween 🌚
— 𝔤𝔥𝔢𝔱𝔱𝔬.𝔭𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰 (@hibodebo) November 12, 2019
Right after Halloween, I put it up.. The lights cheer me 😬☺️
— 🥀➰doree➰🥀 (@doree_t) November 12, 2019
Meeeeee!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/aHKMbga5OV
— Kim Fear (@kimpavida) November 12, 2019
When should you put up your Christmas decorations?
There’s no ‘recommended’ date to put up your tree. In Victorian times, Christmas trees were put up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve however, these days, most people decorate their homes and tree at the start of December - to co-ordinate with the start of advent.
There are of course those who simply want to make the most of the festive season and get their tree up in November.
After all, research has shown that putting up your decorations early actually makes you happy.
Psychology experts have revealed that people who put their Christmas decorations up early are happier than those who wait until the ‘right’ time.
READ MORE: Brexit Christmas jumpers have landed
Apparently, the tinsel and fairy lights remind people of their childhood; a time before they had to deal with the stresses of being an adult.
“In a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood,” psychoanalyst Steve McKeown told UNILAD.
“Decorations are simply an anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. So putting up those Christmas decorations early extends the excitement!”
As well as giving strong feelings of nostalgia, decorating your home early is also seen as a method of remembering loved ones who have passed away.
“For people who have lost a loved one, the holidays may serve as a reminder of happy times they had with that person in the past,” psychotherapist Amy Morin added to UNILAD.
“Decorating early may help them feel more connected with that individual.”
READ MORE: Best luxury Christmas hampers under £100
A love of an early Christmas can also help you bond with your neighbours.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that going crazy with the lights and inflatable Santas can make you appear more friendly to the locals.
According to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), if you’re planning on putting a real tree up, it’s ok to do so from the beginning of December, but if you don’t want it to shed too many needles, it’s best to wait until mid-December.
Traditionalists will be putting theirs up 12 days before Christmas, whilst some of us have opted for 12 weeks before Christmas instead.
When it comes to Christmas, you do you.