Tree Time

When should you display your Christmas tree in your home?

Year after year, people seem to be much more inspired to erect their Christmas Tree, don the decorations and get the holly-jolly hijinks underway all while simultaneously taking down the witch hats and goblin goo. In my home there is an annual disagreement over when the perfect time is to plaster Kringle's on our shingles.

First of all, I don't believe that anyone can disagree that the Christmas tree itself is always the jewel in the crown of a home's decorations and so deciding when to put it up can be a big deal.

On average, younger people are said to enjoy putting their decorations up earlier than older people, with those under age 35 putting them up as soon as 29 days before Christmas Day (25-Dec), compared to those over age 35 who opt for 25 days prior.

Many families, still coming off of the impact from Covid-19 and slowing traveling once more are relishing the prospect of being able to spend Christmas together again after a few years apart. Because of this, the phrase "the holidays get earlier every year" is true to form and things are starting to perk up in reds and greens around Halloween.

In Eureka Springs, I was gobsmacked when I saw decor, lights and the unlit town tree fully erect on November 1. This year, in Eureka Springs, as soon as The Zombie Crawl ended, Charles Dickens arrived.

Some parts of the US are more keen for Christmas than others. Texans have been known to put their tree and decorations up a whopping 49 days before Christmas Day and meanwhile, a traditional home in New England may have a fully decorated Christmas tree sighting in the living room window in mid-September.

So, what date should you display your Christmas tree in your home?

Believe it or not, Roman Catholic tradition dictates that your tree shouldn't go up any earlier than the afternoon before Christmas Day. OK, OK, I admit, I know absolutely NO ONE that does this.

Some people still believe it is bad luck to put your tree up any earlier than 12 days before the big day, however times have moved swiftly along and the data shows that people want to get their jolly'a'jumpin' much earlier.

For those that choose to have a living tree in the home, its lifespan may be limited, and so for the best hope of it making it to New Year's Day you shouldn't buy it earlier than the last weekend of November.

Generally, it makes the most sense to buy your live tree on the day you put it up. This will stop it from ageing and drying out prematurely before you've had the opportunity to enjoy it.

So, all that said, here's what we have discovered . . .

UP

A study, over in Merry'ol England, found that the most commonly agreed date to put the tree up is the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. This allows for the four Sundays of Advent to have a fully displayed Christmas Tree in the home all during the season of Advent and it allows Thanksgiving dinner to pass without the tree displayed in the home quite yet.

DOWN

Many traditions believe that the tree should remain displayed in the home no longer than the twelve days after Christmas Day and it should come down on the 13th day. This will allow for the tree to be displayed over New Years Day celebrations, The Feast of the Epiphany (6-Jan), and in honor of the twelve apostles.

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In the end my friends, Christmas is a time for peace, love and joy. If starting early and finishing late extends that period for you and your family, relish in it together. Most people will agree that each holiday season may feel different for a family as life's twists and turns cause family dynamics to shift and evolve. Something as simple as putting a Christmas Tree up in mid-September is quite rare but if it allows for an extended period of peace, love and joy for you and those close to you, it is a welcomed gesture that may last a lifetime in the family photo albums. ❤️