Can I Start Decorating for Christmas Now?
You might call me crazy, but I’m ready to spread some holiday spirit.
I know what you’re thinking. We just finished Halloween…let us Americans get through Thanksgiving first and yada yada.
No.
After the crazy year that we’ve had, I’m ready to spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear. If you’re on the edge of pulling the boxes out of the closet or waiting a few more weeks, then I’m here to convince you that it’s time.
Christmas decorations fill the store’s shelves, which means your house can look the same.
You might be thinking that you don’t want to be judged by the neighbors, your friends, or your family. Who gives a hoot?
I’m here to let you know that if you are debating between putting up your Christmas decorations early this year or waiting because the Scrooges and Grinches are telling you too, then don’t listen to them. There’s no doubt that we’ve all had a rough year.
If Christmas decorations can bring you one ounce of joy and happiness, then do it.
Science Has Proven Christmas Decorations Bring Joy
It’s all about getting that dopamine. Dopamine is the feel-good hormone that we all need to make us happier.
Basically, this means that it is scientifically proven that setting up Christmas decorations makes us happier.
How? You might be asking.
Well, Christmas is associated with happiness in our brains. When we see Christmas decorations, then we immediately start to think of joyful times and happy memories. Doing this starts to produce more dopamine in our bodies, which in turn, makes us happy.
Unfortunately, some people that don’t have happy memories of Christmas might not find more dopamine when they see Christmas decorations early. Yet, decorating early can still have benefits for people.
Bring Joy to Your Neighbors
Everyone knows that if you put up Christmas decorations, then you’re automatically friendly and approachable, right?
Putting up Christmas decorations early can help you to make friends in your neighborhood. You’ll be that house who is ready to spread Christmas cheer.
In Michigan, our governor recommended people to put Christmas decorations up in the middle of the pandemic to make them feel better and give a sign of hope. People actually did it.
Sure, we were all stuck inside and forced to quarantine. Yet, when you went out for your biweekly grocery trip or for an afternoon walk to get some fresh air, then you could see which houses wanted the neighborhood to feel cheerful even in a time when we all felt the worst.
Christmas decorations don’t only benefit you, but everyone around you as well. They can bring joy to the kids in your neighborhood and even the people who are unable to put up their own decorations.
Savoring the Holiday Spirit
Setting up your Christmas tree, lights, decorations, and anything else that tickles your fancy means that you can have time to enjoy them.
Christmas for many people is all about nostalgia.
It isn’t about the gift-receiving or the prepping of the holidays, but rather the feeling that they get that Christmas is coming.
Coming home from school as a young kid and seeing the lights or your Christmas tree is a warm and fuzzy feeling that you can only recreate once a year. Some people try and try and can’t seem to get that feeling back.
When you set up your decorations early, then you can savor the holiday spirit and nostalgia for much longer. It does take a lot of work to get everything ready, so why wouldn’t you want to enjoy them for as long as you can?
Christmas makes people happy. The world that we’re currently living in has so much stress and anxiety that we need something to make us happy.
Something that can remind us of that childhood nostalgia is the perfect way to release the tensions from everyday life.
Get Up and Do It
If you’re someone who wants to wait to decorate for Christmas until closer to the day of, then I’m not calling you a holiday hater. But please let the rest of us live our winter wonderlands in peace even if we have to create them months in advance!
Lastly, if you’re thinking about decorating, then get up and do it. Don’t let anything hold you back from creating holiday memories with your family, especially in 2020, when we need more happy memories.
