It happens every year.
The battle between those joyful people who put up Christmas decorations “early” and those Scrooges who hate the appearance of Christmas anytime before Thanksgiving.
Clearly, I’m on the side of the joyful people.
But there is a very good reason for that.
I notice many of the people who complain about “early” Christmas decorations are not usually the people who do the most to create the magic of Christmas. They are the ones who appreciate the finished product, while letting others do the heavy lifting.
Those of us who are the ones who decorate for Christmas, make lists, buy most of the gifts, send out holiday cards, plan the parties and festivities, do much of the cooking and entertaining, and so on, are the ones who are usually advocating for an earlier Christmas season.
Why?
Simply because we have so much to do and not a whole lot of time to do it! Depending on when Thanksgiving falls - we have four weeks or less to do everything that needs to be done to make Christmas a joyous and festive time. We are so busy, it leaves little time for us to enjoy the season that we work so hard to make perfect. If we start Christmas preparations in November, that gives us several more weeks to work with.
“But what about Thanksgiving?” you ask.
Seriously?
Most of us planning and prepping for Christmas are the same ones planning and prepping for Thanksgiving as well. It’s not forgotten. It’s not pushed to the side. Thanksgiving really only lasts one day (or maybe a weekend at most.) I don’t need an entire month to plan for it.
I love Thanksgiving. I love Christmas. I love New Year’s. I consider all three to be part of a holiday package. When I say Happy Holidays, I’m including these and all other holidays celebrated at this time of year.
Years ago, I would not do much Christmas prep before Thanksgiving. I would try to get all the decorations up in one weekend and begin to stress about everything I need to accomplish in such a small amount of time. But last year we had friends come from out of town for Thanksgiving and I realized I wouldn’t have much time post-Thanksgiving to decorate. So I put the tree up early. I decorated with a rustic theme using white and light brown colors. The tree was lit up with white lights and decorated to match the burlap and pine cone setting on the table. It was a blend of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Our guests loved the holiday feel and so did we. I totally plan to put the tree up early again this year. My husband who once was against Christmas before Thanksgiving was on board. His only request was we wait until after his birthday (which is in the middle of November.)
On November 1st as I was putting away the Halloween decorations, I joked about putting the tree up right away.
To my surprise, my husband replied, “Go ahead! It’s 2020 - anything goes!”
Needless to say, I was shocked at his response. However, I have not put up the tree yet, I am waiting until after his birthday out of respect. I do appreciate his approval of early decorating though.
I have begun decorating in other ways. I’ve put up twinkling lights in the windows and set out some of the rustic decor that will blend seamlessly into a rustic Christmas. I have been playing Christmas music in the car, and I’ve ordered my Christmas cards and started my gift shopping!
I understand that Christmas can be a very stressful time for many. The appearance of Christmas decor early probably instills a sense of panic in some. I can understand that, but when I see Christmas decorations it takes me back to when I was a child and the Christmas season seemed to last forever! I love the magic of Christmas! I love creating the magic of Christmas. I just need a little bit more time to do it!
Amy Young
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