With Christmas around the corner, many are starting to feel a little bit festive and excited for the holiday season.
Putting up a Christmas tree is one of the most beloved holiday traditions. However the question of when to put the decorations up is a matter of personal preference and cultural influences.
Many are eager to embrace the holiday spirit as soon as November arrives, where as others decide to wait until December is in full swing.
It’s always a hot debate as to when it is the perfect time to put the decorations up – many Brits will decorate their homes after Bonfire Night, whilst others wait until December.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th century where devout Christians would bring decorated trees into their homes to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Some even built Christmas pyramids made out of wood and decorated then with evergreens and candles.
When is the perfect time to put the tree up?
According to tradition, Christmas trees should be put up at the start of Advent which is the fourth Sunday before Christmas, while there are other traditions within families to put the tree up 12 days before Christmas, and then take it down 12 days later.
For some, Christmas starts as early as November, and their trees go up right after Halloween and Bonfire night. Many might say this is far too early, but for some Brits, celebrating the festive season for as long as possible is becoming increasingly common each year!
The good thing is, celebrating Christmas has no rules! It’s entirely based on personal preference. However, the choice between a real and artificial Christmas tree can also influence when you decide to put it up. Real trees are typically put up later than artificial ones to ensure they stay fresh in time for the big day.
MerseyNewsLive took to Twitter to find out exactly what the people of Merseyside think about Christmas trees, and what date they think is deemed appropriate to start decorating their homes in time for the big occasion.
Robbie Smith, from Litherland, said: “I think a good time to put your tree up is anytime near the start of December, but I personally put mine up after the 6th, just because it’s my sister’s birthday so we focus on all the Christmas stuff after that.”
Ruby Leigh, from the city centre, also said her decorations go up after birthday celebrations are over: “My birthday is at the beginning of November, and our rule when I lived at home was always that we could put the tree up after my birthday.
“I am quite happy with having the decorations up mid-November.”
Some said that Christmas doesn’t start until December, and decide to put the tree up at the very start of the month.
Patrick Newton, from Walton, said anything before December is over the top: ”Although I don’t put the Christmas tree up, and if I had one myself, I wouldn’t put it up until December 1. Any earlier is just ‘too’ keen.”
Maria O’Keefe, from Netherton, added: ”Christmas to me doesn’t begin until December 1, so I would rather put my Christmas tree up in December, not November.”
While there are a lot of recommendations on how and when to decorate your home in time for Christmas, it is totally up to you to decide. Regardless of when you decide to do it, decorating the house in time for Christmas is a great way to bond with loved ones and to make lots of festive memories!
Listen to Cassie Ward’s report here:
Featured image: Daniel Zambartas
