There’s something magical about Christmas. The twinkling lights, the sparkling glittery ornaments, the joyous sound of Christmas carols – they all lift my spirits and fill me with delight. One reason the holiday season means so much is that it was always a special time with my family when I was growing up.

We drank hot cocoa and opened stockings. We noshed on our favorite appetizers all day, sang carols, and celebrated being together in true holiday spirit. Even now, after the passing of my dad and the geographical spreading of my family, it remains the most wonderful time of the year for me.

As the seasons change and fall sets in, I’m already thinking about Christmas and how I will display my holiday decorations this year. I’ve even pulled out the first few items I’m going to decorate with and reward myself with decking out a shelf or hanging some holly each time I accomplish an unpleasant task. Each bell or snowman brings me joy – and this is why I decorate early for Christmas. However, especially after the last couple of years without family and friends near, this has become even more important to me.

I’d like to share some great reasons why you, too, might want to consider decorating for Christmas early.

I Decorate Early Because I Want To

Christmas tree lit up

Image credits: Free-Photos via Pixabay

It always felt like I was cheating myself out of so much joy and delight by waiting to decorate Christmas. I love turning down the lights, enjoying the twinkling lights and sparkle, and sitting quietly listening to the beautiful music of the season or a string quartet or celebratory sounds of the Islands.

So, each year, I decorate early because, well, I want to. I am happy when I look around my living room and see Christmas trees and merry bells and candy canes. Scientists have even shown that folks who decorate earlier are happier. So, this alone is a good enough reason for me to start decking the halls as early as October. After all, why does there have to be a time limit?

I Decorate Early Because it Makes Life Easier

Christmas village

Image credits: Jill Wellington via Pixabay

For the practical folks out there, this should appeal. Decorating earlier makes life easier during the holiday crunch. I have specific events that happen each year in this season (NaNoWriMo, local fan conventions, holiday parties in November, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). If I wait until December to start decorating, I wind up feeling overwhelmed and rushed.

To relieve this stress, I begin decorating in October and gradually place items out, trim trees, and light candles, one storage box at a time. I have saved myself hours of stress and anxiety during these crazy times by having all the décor out before I start cooking that Thanksgiving Day feast. It’s wonderful!

We celebrate both Hannukah and home in our home, so again, decorating early relieves some of the stress of blending all the holidays and events and allows me to focus on Hannukah whenever it falls as I continue celebrating and exploring my Jewish heritage.

I Decorate Early Because it Lets Me Experiment

Lit Christmas candle

Image credits: TizzleBDizzle via Pixabay

I know, I know. One of the big time-savers folks share is that you should decorate the same way each year to save time and energy. However, I get bored easily. I rearrange the furniture in my house at least twice a year as it is. Decorating the same way each year for Christmas isn’t an option for me. I want new and fresh. So, when I decorate early, I get to change things up – I have time to do so.

I Decorate Early So I Can Enjoy the Decorations Longer

Bowl of lighted tea candles with Christmas decor filling the gaps

Image credits: cocoparisienne via Pixabay

I’m not going to tell you how much I’ve spent over the years on Christmas décor, but it’s a lot considering my daily budget! Yes, there are potentially more valuable things I could spend my hard-earned income on, but I love Christmas, and I don’t want to scrimp in this arena. I revamp my whole house – it’s a lot of work. And with all that time spent decorating and all that money sunk into the decorations, I want to enjoy them for more than a couple of weeks.

I Decorate Early Because It’s Been Hard Lately

nativity set

Image credits: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay

In case anyone hasn’t noticed, the last couple of years have been rough. Cooped up inside, kept away from friends and family, it’s been hard to make it. And if you have any challenging emotional memories attached to this season (e.g., my dad passed away on Thanksgiving Day), this season can be rough. So, with all of that in mind, I’m that much more motivated to decorate early and let the beauty of the glittery ornaments keep me company in the sweet memories I do have of the season.

I Decorate Early as Self-Expression

Miniature homemade book Christmas ornament

Image credits: Vlad Vasnetsov via

Okay, it might sound a little odd, but part of my self-expression is decorating early. I have been told that it’s not “acceptable” to decorate before Thanksgiving. And if you’re of that opinion, that’s fine. I’m not. As my friend, Cyndi always says, “You, do you. I’ll do me.” And “me” is decorating for Christmas starting in October.

I Decorate Early Because I Can

As a kid, I wasn’t allowed to start decorating until mid-December. I always felt gipped by this. Maybe I’m still “rebelling” in my choice to decorate early, but, hey. I’m an adult now – I pay rent, I pay bills, I earn a living, and that means I can. So, why not?

Who else is with me? Why do you decorate early for Christmas? Anything the rest of us should glean?