Why Decorating Early for Christmas May Make You Happier

Holiday decorations have a surprising effect on your emotional well-being.

Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Key points

• Research shows decorating your home for the holidays is likely to give you a social boost.
• Holiday decorations can signal friendliness and approachability to your neighbors.
• Nostalgia can help us find more meaning in life, deepen our social bonds, and even soothe collective anxiety.
• A little early Christmas spirit could be your secret ingredient to a happier, more connected winter season.

If you're ready to decorate for Christmas as soon as the pumpkins are put away, you might be onto something. Christmas decorations stir up pleasant emotions and the sooner you decorate, the longer you experience the benefits.

Of course, decorating for Christmas in early November might be met with an eye roll by people who insist you have to get through Thanksgiving before turning your attention to Christmas. But don't let the fear of annoying your neighbors stop you.

Some research shows decorating your home for the holidays is likely to give you a social boost. The sooner you get into the holiday spirit, the sooner you might spread those positive vibes.

Christmas Decorations Stir Up Nostalgia

Most people have positive holiday memories. Whether you recall waking up early filled with excitement on Christmas morning as a child, or you recall a family meal where everyone gathered together, the holiday season can remind you of special times. When you start decorating, you'll trigger your brain to recall those holiday memories.

Whether you're listening to Christmas music or you're putting your decorations on the mantle, the sights, sounds, and smells of the holidays stir up nostalgia.

When you find that childhood ornament that you always loved putting on the tree, you might instantly recall the wonder you experienced when you put up your Christmas tree every year. Or you might string the lights the same way you did in your childhood home and honoring that tradition might help you feel more connected to family.

Nostalgia may remind you of loved ones who are no longer here. And while that may feel a little bittersweet, those memories may also help you feel more connected to someone from your past.

Studies have shown that those nostalgic feelings have many benefits. Nostalgia can help us find more meaning in life, deepen our social bonds, and even soothe collective anxiety. When you decorate early, you experience nostalgia for a longer timeframe.

Decorating Your House May Help You Develop Social Connections

You might think it's not socially acceptable to string lights on your house until after Thanksgiving. But if afraid your early decorations will repel your neighbors, think again. There's evidence others may actually be more drawn to you when you decorate early.

Holiday decorations can signal friendliness and approachability to your neighbors. According to research, people with festive homes are often perceived as more welcoming.

When you decorate early, you give your neighbors more time to experience positive emotions about you and that gives them more opportunities to make connections with you. Study after study has found that it's our connections with others that will make us much happier than things like money, fame, or job status.

Whether your neighbor down the street stops by to admire your display or a friend you haven't seen in a while calls to tell you they saw your holiday set up, your decorations signal to the community that you're open to connection.

Your decorations don't have to look perfect either. In the study, people were rated as more sociable when their homes looked "lived in." Homes didn't need immaculate decorations for neighbors to rate the owners as sociable.

Spreading Positive Vibes Can Boost Your Mood

Engaging in positive activities can give you a mood boost, even if you don't really feel like doing it. This idea is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy, where "acting as if" can lead to genuine changes in emotion. Acting as if you feel full of holiday cheer might actually fill you with holiday cheer.

Rather than put off decorating until you feel like doing it, you might be better off doing it now. Decorating early also means you won't experience the stress associated with last-minute decorating.

Start the Celebration Early

With fewer hours of daylight, many people start to feel down during the Fall. Looking forward to the holidays can add some happiness to the season.

Lights can also add some literal brightness to the dark evenings. And it may give people something to do before the busyness of the holidays gets underway.

Permit yourself to start decorating for Christmas early this year. Embrace those nostalgic ornaments, enjoy the connections they help build, and let the warmth of holiday cheer brighten your days. A little early Christmas spirit could be your secret ingredient to a happier, more connected winter season.