When should you put up your Christmas tree? It’s a question that many of us ask ourselves every year, and it’s a question that a lot of us worry about because we want to put our decorations up at the right time. Did you know that in a recent survey, nearly 25% of Americans put up their Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving? There’s quite a big difference between people as to when they decorate a tree for Christmas. While some folks love diving into the holidays the day after Halloween, others wait until Advent or even Christmas Eve.
The date you choose brings a different vibe to the season, and figuring out your ideal time can make holiday decorating feel even more special. It’s important to remember though that the time you decorate will be unique to you and how you celebrate Christmas, so let’s take a look at traditional dates, popular trends, and tips for deciding when to put up your tree in 2024. That way you can find the perfect timing for your family’s holiday cheer.
Traditional Dates for Putting Up a Christmas Tree
For a lot of families, tradition is at the heart of deciding when to put up the Christmas tree. It’s one of those holiday routines that makes the season feel timeless and comforting.
On the first weekend of Advent
In many Christian traditions, the Christmas season officially begins with the first Sunday of Advent. This typically falls between late November and early December as it is the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This year, the first Sunday of Advent falls on December 1, 2024, which is a perfect date for putting up your Christmas tree, as it is just after Thanksgiving weekend. Thanksgiving has fallen late this year on November 28, so going with December 1 would suit a lot of families as they can enjoy Thanksgiving before decorating for Christmas.
The practice of waiting for Advent is still common in many Catholic and Anglican households, where setting up the tree on Advent Sunday feels like the real start of the holiday season. Especially as theme of the first Sunday of Advent is hope. This makes it a lovely weekend to put up your Christmas decorations as you look forward to the holiday season with hope, decorating your tree to show your hopes for the season ahead.
Traditionally, if you are using Advent as a guide for putting up your Christmas tree, any day in December works.
After Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving falls around mid-November 5 out of 6 years. For many people, once this holiday is over it just feels like the natural time to put up the Christmas decorations and begin getting in that festive spirit at home. With many people eager to extend the holiday cheer, some are shifting to an earlier setup, especially in the U.S., where Thanksgiving is often seen as the unofficial start of the Christmas season. As soon as the turkey leftovers are in the fridge, many people start thinking about getting that tree up.
That would mean that putting up your Christmas tree on any date after Thanksgiving will also work in the US.
Winter Solstice
In 1848, the Christmas tree exploded in England thanks to an illustration published in the Illustrated London News showing Queen Victoria and Prince Albert around a decorated Christmas tree with their family. They had had it shipped over from Germany and it was placed in Windsor Castle. The Christmas tree has been a popular way of decorating in the UK ever since.
In this mid-nineteenth century time, decorating your tree would have been done in late December around the Winter Solstice (December 21 – December 23). These days, however, traditions have evolved, as people prefer to decorate earlier in December. It is still a tradition for some families though, who perhaps want to experience a shorter period of festive décor in their home.
How early is to early to put up a Christmas tree?
For some people, Christmas is their favorite time of the year and they can’t wait to get the Christmas decorations up. So the question of how soon can you put your Christmas tree up is the one that matters most. The first week, or day. in November, immediately after Halloween ends has become a favorite time to decorate in recent times for die hard Christmas lovers. There is nothing wrong with doing this and if this what brings joy to your home, it isn’t too early.
The downside of decorating this early is that if you want a real Christmas tree in your home, it probably won’t last until Christmas Day. Choosing to decorate using artificial trees is best if you want to decorate early. You’ll also struggle if you are going for a Scandinavian Christmas tree look as this typically uses a real tree with minimal décor. The question of how early is too early to put up a Christmas tree is best answered by asking yourself what kind of look you are going for, how much you love Christmas, and if you want a real tree whether you are willing to buy one in November and one in December.
When Most People Put Up Christmas Trees in the US & UK
Curious what everyone else is doing? We were too, so let’s a look.
In America
According to a recent survey by YouGov US, the most popular times to put up Christmas decorations, including your Christmas tree, is November in America.
51% of Americans put up their Christmas tree on or after Thanksgiving before November. It makes sense as Thanksgiving marks the end of fall and the start of winter festivities for may Americans. Thanksgiving is also a time when families are together, so it’s the perfect opportunity to start the holiday season. This trend aligns with the idea that people want to stretch out the holiday season, especially when they use an artificial tree.
But if you’re someone who prefers a shorter Christmas season, you’re not alone. 20% of families wait until early or even mid-December to put up their tree. This approach can keep the holiday feeling fresh and avoids “Christmas burnout” by the time the big day arrives. Waiting until December, especially if if you like to use a real tree to decorate keeps it looking green and healthy. If you live in a warm state, holding off until December for a real tree to make sure it looks its best when the holiday hits.
In the UK
The figures, from YouGov UK, tell a different story.
In the UK, 44% of people put up their tree between December 1 and 10. In the US over half of the people will put their tree up in November, in comparison to just 17% of people in the UK. UK people seem to follow the tradition of Advent more than US people, probably as Thanksgiving is not celebrated as a holiday in the UK.
Real vs. Artificial Trees Affect Timing
Deciding when to put up your Christmas tree can depend a lot on whether you go with a real or an artificial tree. Each type has its pros and cons, especially when it comes to setup timing.
Real Trees
Real trees bring that fresh pine scent into your home, and there’s something special about going out to pick a real tree as a family. However, real trees have a shorter life span unless you intend to keep them outside in a pot. If you put a real tree up too early, especially in a warm house, it can start drying out by mid-December. Setting up a gorgeous, full real tree in early November can mean that by Christmas Eve it looks ready for the compost pile. Sweeping up needles can become a daily chore, and they can loose that beautiful bright green look.
If you’re planning on a real tree, consider setting it up in early to mid-December to keep it looking fresh. For families who prefer early decorating but still want a real tree, a good trick is to start with some simple holiday décor in November and build-up decorating around your house. Bring in your real tree in December and have a decorating schedule that doesn’t fell overwhelming and keeps the festive spirit going. You can hang a wreath, put up lights, or even set up a small artificial tree to have more than one tree in you home. That way, you still get the early holiday vibe without the mess or hassle of a dried-out real tree.
Best for those who like the traditional first day of Advent set-up, early December, mid-December, late-December tree set-up.
Artificial trees
Artificial trees, on the other hand, offer complete flexibility. They’re ready to go whenever you are, whether that’s November 1st or December 15th. An artificial tree can make holiday decorating way easier, more budget-friendly, and a simple once and done job. These days, artificial trees look incredibly realistic, and they’re a great option if you like to go all out with ornaments, lights, and other decorations.
Since they don’t dry out, you don’t have to worry about overloading them with holiday cheer. With an artificial tree, you can set it up early and enjoy a festive living room all season long without worrying about constant upkeep. Just be sure to store it properly after the holidays, and it’ll last you for years to come.
Best for those who like to go for early Christmas tree set-up, or any time set-up.
Decorating for Different Holiday Styles and Timelines
Do you have a decorating style? Your holiday theme can influence the best time to set up your tree. From traditional red and green, minimalistic silver and white, and even a rustic “farmhouse” look with burlap ribbon and wooden ornaments, each one sets a different holiday tone. Figuring out your style can help you decide when to start decorating.
If you love a classic Christmas look with lots of red, green, and gold, starting in early December might feel just right. Slowly adding to your décor as the month goes on, making it feel like the holiday spirit is growing in your home.
Minimalist decorators might want to start earlier in November with subtle, low-key seasonal themed décor for Christmas. Some people even like to have a “Thanksgiving tree” with fall decorations, then switch to Christmas décor after the holiday for an easy fall to winter transition. If you get a bit excited about holiday themes, you might enjoy trying a different look each year, which can take longer to set-up. A pink tree might be just what you’re after this year, but styling it will take a little longer than one you are used to decorating.
If you’re adding multiple trees, like a “kid’s tree” with colorful ornaments or a “family memory” tree with sentimental decorations, setting them up at different times can also help you enjoy the process. Doing it all in one go is time consuming and can feel overwhelming, so set aside a couple of times in your schedule.
Weather, Family Schedules, and Budget
When to put up the Christmas tree can depend on a lot of practical factors, too. Sometimes, life just gets in the way! Here are some suggestions about the best time to put your tree up when life gets in the way:
- If you’re busy with work, school, or holiday events in December consider putting up the tree a bit earlier, maybe in mid-November. That way you can enjoy putting it up, it without the pressure of trying to find time in a busy schedule.
- Budget. Picking the right time can actually help save a little money. Real trees can sometimes be cheaper closer to Christmas, but if you’re looking for an artificial tree, early-season sales often start in late October so pick one up then. Some stores do reduce artificial trees in the last week before Christmas too.
- Weather: if you live somewhere warm decorating later may feel more festive, whereas in colder climates you may want that cosy Christmas feel in your living room sooner.
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Family Traditions and Cultures on Tree Setup
Setting up the Christmas tree isn’t just about timing, often it’s about tradition. The dates and ways we choose to decorate our homes often reflect our family customs and cultural backgrounds. In many European countries, such as Germany and Austria, families traditionally put up their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
Other families have unique traditions that influence tree setup. If you celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, you may want your tree up and ready by then. Others, particularly in Mexican and Latin American communities, might wait until Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration starting on December 16th. This is so the tree becomes a part of a larger celebration that includes family gatherings, music, and food.
Traditions blend and evolve and it is important to realise that the time that is right for one family to put up a tree is not right for someone else. Some people like to keep the tree up all the way through January 6th, celebrating Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day. Some people like a Christmas tree up for New Year celebrations to carry that festive feeling into January.
The beauty of traditions is how they shape the holidays uniquely for each family. Finding the right day for a busy family to put up a Christmas tree may be during the weekend in line with a religious celebration. For people who don’t mark any religious celebrations the right time to put up a Christmas tree could be when the mood takes them, or they have time in a schedule. The key to picking the right time is
Final Thoughts: When Should You Set Up Your Tree?
The message is there’s no “wrong” time to set up your tree. It’s personal choice. Just remember to keep your home and family’s style in mind, and try a new date each year until you find what feels best for you. Experiment with different times, see what fits your family’s style, schedule, and traditions, and enjoy the process of making it your own. Maybe this year you’re eager to get the tree up right after Halloween for a long season of holiday cheer, or perhaps you’re keeping it traditional and waiting until Advent. Whatever you choose don’t stress too much about timing. Remember, whatever day you decide to set up your tree, it’s about creating memories, enjoying the moment, and bringing joy into your home.
