When do you put up your Christmas decorations?

@dragon54u (31636)
United States
November 30, 2008 8:09am CST
Many houses on my block are already decorated and they are beautiful--but I just can't get the feeling that Christmas is near. It's way to early to decorate! Let's watch winter roll in and the last of the leaves fall first. My family always put up our decorations on the 18th of December and they came down on Jan 1st. That way the anticipation would build for a week then we'd have a relaxing week after to enjoy the ambiance of beauty of our home and everyone' lights. Putting things up this early would seem to me to take some of the shine off the holiday--by the time it gets here, you're used to all the lights and decorations and they're not special anymore. When do you decorate, and why? And special ones that have been in your family for years?
4 people like this
28 responses
@munhozmib (3837)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
1 Dec 08
Hello, dragon54u. Usually, my parents would put the decoration a week from now. They don't have a special date to put all the decorations, but it is usually around December 10th, or 15th. Though, this year, the decorations are already set. There isn't much, though, only a tree with some lights. Don't know if they will be adding something else, but I guess it will just stay like this. As you said, when you add the decorations too early, it just loses the special air that it gives. You get used to looking at all those shining lights. And I don't know why people are so in a hurry to put the decorations. Many houses in here are already decorated as well. Isn't that strange? Respectfully, Munhozmib.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I agree, it is strange, but decorations have been going up earlier and earlier every few years. It's as if they can't wait but, like you said, by the time the real holiday comes it's no longer special. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Dec 08
In my family, we organize christmas at the end of november, we have a meeting, we eat christmas food, like: natilla and buñuelos; and also we listen christmas music. We really like it, because we were all together celebrating a very special moment and also all of us put the house so beautiful to enjoy all this special month.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
That sounds wonderful, and just the type of thing that belongs with the holiday. I love thinking of families doing things together! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11834)
7 Dec 08
I am a real misery when it comes to Christmas decorations, and if I can get away with it I put none up at all. I might have to give in and do some this year though, as in previous years my kids have been able to enjoy their grandparents' decorations and this year they won't get the opportunity. I agree that you shouldn't have them up for too long if you do them. If they are up for ages then they lose their novelty before Christmas arrives.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
8 Dec 08
I agree, the decorations are special just like the day and if they're up too long they lose their meaning-at least for me. Why don't you and the kids make some decorations, like paper chains or strings of popcorn and cranberries? I remember doing that with my mom and it was so much fun! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11834)
19 Dec 08
I think I'm going to have to do the paper chains, as my Mum has just sent us a packet of gummed paper strips. she knows how I feel about Christmas decorations & obviously feels sorry for my kids LoL We don't do popcorn strings here. I think that's an American tradition only. We're more likely to go for sparkly tinsel garlands here, or holly boughs. You'll be glad to hear that although I've been avoiding the decorations, I have been getting into the Christmas spirit a little this morning and have just made a pile of Christmas cards.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
1 Dec 08
I put up my decorations around the last week of november first week of december. the longer they can be up and be "in season" the more i enjoy having them. So far no lights outside yet (I'm hoping to get some solar powered ones) but my tree and christmas blankets are out. Hoping to put my mugs and glasses out this week sometime.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
There are solar Christmas lights? Where do you get them? I want some!! Hope you enjoy the decorating, I got my silk flowers out yesterday and might put a few around the house just to look wintry.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
1 Dec 08
Ps all the special decorations like the Santa Candy box and the Mice ornaments are at my mom's house. Family treasures hopefully to be there when she has grandkids too.
1 person likes this
@syankee525 (6261)
• United States
30 Nov 08
we just did our's i wish i could put the vedio up on here of our house with the lights that flash to the beat of the music.. i'm impress with myself i must say
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
30 Nov 08
There is a house on the corner that is just beautiful and I love the inflatable penguin on the roof! But it's just way too early for me, I can't really get into it yet!
1 person likes this
• China
1 Dec 08
Whenever you feel like it! For your tree, the end of the first or sencond week of the December.Not too earlier. Same with docorations. Also for the Christmas lights outside, you should do it whenever the whether is nice. If it is a little earlier, you do not have to turn them on until it is not so early. To take them down a couple days after Christmas. You should not have them up longer two weeks after Christmas. For outside decorations you also should down on a nice day(if there is one). I think it is good to take them down early so you could get it over with.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I should have put up my outside lights while the weather was good but I didn't. I may have to make do with some lights around the windows! I put the lights up last year when it was cold and snowy and I'm not going to do that again. You seem to have a good schedule!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
1 Dec 08
Just last Month, my auntie put up already the Christmas Decors, she is so excited on the occasion as we do, but the good things is we don't need to worry about the rush on putting the Christmas decors, we just do it early.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I can't get excited about it that early, but I'm glad others do because I get to see all the pretty lights. Have a wonderful Christmas!
@zabawaus (1730)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I start putting my decorations right after thanksgiving , because i like to have them early so i can enjoy the view :)
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
They are so beautiful, aren't they? I don't do it that soon because I would take them for granted but I love to see other people decorate!
@capirani (2497)
• United States
1 Dec 08
When I am able, and this year I have not been able, I put my tree up the day after Thanksgiving, or at the latest, the weekend after Thanksgiving. I think it will be going up later this week though. Hopefully. I love decorating for Christmas and until everything is decorated, it never feels like it should be Christmas yet. The time passes so quickly as you get older, it is hard to imagine Christmas already. Didn't summer just end? I leave the decorations up until after New Years' Day. I have even left them up until into February before, but that doesn't happen often. Since I don't have kids at home anymore, there isn't the mess under the tree that there was when the kids were there and their presents were strewn about under the tree and elsewhere. Now it is nice just having all the pretty things set up. Everything looks drab once it is taken down. They never lose their specialness to me. I love sitting in the dark looking at the tree lights each night. I love watching them reflect and sparkle off the shiney ornaments as they move around with the little bit of air movement.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I am like you, I love sitting and looking at the tree with the lights off!! But I sure miss the mess of the kids, those were such precious times. Now only one of my two sons is coming this Christmas so it won't be very messy. Still, I'm so grateful to have even one of them here! You're right, time does fly when we get older. It's almost like God telling us to hurry up and enjoy ourselves because it'll end all too soon!
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Hi dragon. I'm trying to get the decorations put up now... well, at least the lights. I don't plan to turn them on until maybe 2 weeks before Christmas but I'd like them up and ready. I don't like to be rushed during one of the most precious holidays we have so I always try to take care of things early. I've noticed a lot of houses decorated, too. All the lights are on, they have those huge inflatable yard decorations, all kinds of things. I agree that it's just too early for all that. We just got through Thanksgiving! Geesh. I remember when people used to wait until the week before Christmas before putting any lights up outside. In our family, my parents would always put the tree up and decorate it on Christmas eve. It was always something I looked forward to because it got me so excited for the next day! There aren't any special decorations that have been handed down, unfortunately. I remember my mother having some that she got from her mother and I loved them! But, we've both moved around so much that things got lost along the way somewhere. I have some special decorations myself now (handmade by me) and I plan to hand them down to my sons one of these days, if they want them. I make a special ornament for the tree every year since I've been married and I kinda like that new tradition. Right now, I'm stuffing Santa and Mrs. Claus's suits to put in our pavilion. This will be the first year I've decorated our pavilion and it seems to be growing in leaps and bounds! LOL I planned to just put lights up on it and put a fake Christmas tree in the middle of it. Now, it's grown to having Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus sitting on a glider beside the tree with their feet up. She'll be knitting something and he'll be going over his list. I know the neighbors will love it and that's the whole idea behind it. But, I won't be turning the lights on until 2 weeks before Christmas.
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
30 Nov 08
Thanks, dragon! I love the story of your Christmas bells! Also about your neighbor's motorcycle Santa! That really must be something to see. People can be so creative if they try! I'll take a picture of the pavilion, for sure! Probably a lot of them! LOL I'll post it here so you can see it. I also love the idea of Rudolf next year, too! Maybe a couple of elves working on some toys. Oh, man! This thing could really grow! LOL
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
1 Dec 08
Hey dragon! I don't feel like I'm quite ready to put up my decorations yet either! Sometimes I do put them up after the Thanksgiving holiday, but I just am not ready so early. I also haven't decided if I will be putting up the 6 foot tree or the 2 foot tree. I have 2 5 year old cats who are serious climbers and I haven't put up the 6 foot tree since I had gotten them. They get into everything and I know that they will knock it down for sure! I decorate the windows and the house a bit but I'm just not feeling like Christmas yet! I am also in the middle of re-decorating my apartment so I need to get that finished before I start putting up Christmas stuff.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
Maybe you should hang the tree from the ceiling. I'm serious, I knew someone who did that because of her cats and it worked out wonderfully!
13 Dec 08
I totally agree with you. When I was younger (a lot) I was always told that they went up six days before Xmas and have to be taken down before the 2nd January otherwise its back luck. Do you think this is anything stemming from the 12 days of Christmas ?
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Oct 09
12 days of christmas is actually in support of haunika and sorry for the mispelling if that is spelled wrong, but it's celebrated from the start of jesus traveling to jerusulem til his birth which had been told to be 12 days. at least that is what i was told.
• United States
19 Oct 09
we here in the south ( tennessee ) tend leave our lights up all year round in some places. I know Gatlinburg and pigeon has what is similar to a festival lights all winter long and christmas lights are jsut all the rage I guess. we are called hillbilly to the rest of the world but lets face who has time to set up every single decoration every year and take it down. Most of the lights that are left are usually like the clear white lights that look good all year round. My dad's house used to have lights on the chain legnthed fense all the way around an acre of land all year long and they were christmas lights not just the clear lights.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Oct 09
Hi, and thanks for the response! I know what you mean, but let's say that the hillbillies are just being efficient! It really is a chore to put them up and take them down. When I lived in Arizona, I had to take them down because the sun would fade them by April. I did leave them up and light them nearly every night one year for a few months. I love Christmas lights!
@edxcast (1168)
• Ecuador
19 Oct 09
Really? im with you i think its too early to do it. In general my family do it at the end of november or on december. Although there are some Christmas lights on the front of my house that have been there since last year haha lol.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Oct 09
I was so surprised to see some new responses to this discussion! But thanks, I really appreciate it! It's October now and there are Christmas lights waiting in the wings, I can see boxes of them in peoples' open garages as they are hanging their Halloween decorations. Around here, people really get into the holidays in a big way, there are elaborate Halloween decorations already--inflatables, spiders, lights, spooky sounds! I love this neighborhood, everyone is so enthusiastic!
@sameroad (3179)
• United States
1 Dec 08
There are a few houses around me with lights up and more putting some up every few days it seems... I agree though about it being too early.. it's not even december yet!! but i kinda feel like decorating myself too but i haven't. I'll probably put some stuff up in a week or two... i do it because no one else will really and my mom likes it done. I do too.. i just kind of don't care to do it anymore lol not when i have to do EVERYTHING myself and then take it all down after christmas by myself. we have some things that we put on the tree that i've had since i was baby and the star we use is like 20 years old.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I love using old decorations! I have a few and I love putting them on the tree. I know what you mean about doing it all yourself--even when I was married, I had to do it by myself. But now that I have my own house it's a little different. I hope you have a blessed Christmas!
• United States
1 Dec 08
I haven't started mine, but I'm looking forward to it. I plan to do it in stages, and I really should have started today while I had the time, but I got lost in other projects. We moved into this house last summer, and I didn't decorate much last year, still getting used to the house. But this year I plan to get it all out.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I know how it is to get lost in other projects! I moved here 18 months ago and things still need to be done, but I'll get them all eventually! I hope your decorating is fun and goes smoothly.
@dorothy09 (1520)
• Philippines
1 Dec 08
hi dragon, me and my family have put up our christmas decorations and make our christmas tree since october..its very earl though but I love the spirit of christmas. I love to see christmas decors..... I just love christmas times.....I love holiday seasons...
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
It's rushing the holiday to me, but I guess a lot of people feel as you do! I love Christmas, too, but I don't feel right decorating so early. Have a very happy Christmas!
@gicolet (1702)
• United States
1 Dec 08
My husband just did our christmas lights and porch decors earlier today. It's beautiful! I don't think it's too early. A lot of houses in our neighborhood already did the same right after Thanksgiving. There's only 25 days to go before christmas and we don't want to do all that decorating just for a few days! I mean it's a lot of work! We'll probably get the Christmas tree like 10 days before Christmas. We like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. They will all come down After Jan. 1st but it's all worth it :)
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
If that's what you like, go for it! I just like a little more anticipation. Be careful with that tree. Most of those trees are cut in September or October and are drier than you think. Spray it with a flame retardant, they're pine scented now!
@tracymw (53)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I usually put up my Christmas decorations the week of Thanksgiving. We usually decorate with lots of lights and of course, put up a Christmas tree but this year, I'm not really in the Christmas spirit. I haven't put up anything yet.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
I think you might find if you wait till closer to Christmas, it's a more intense experience, you've waited to long and the day is almost here-the decorations make the anticipation sweeter and the holiday is much better when there's not so much of it for so long! I hope you have a great, blessed Christmas!
@eddie72 (37)
• China
1 Dec 08
I prefer the snow Chrismas where the christmas lights, silk and trees are put up every.That makes me sense the real holiday arrived.Recently,i have noticed that the decorations have been on the stree in the downtown.It's a little earlier i think,although most of them are in the require of business,not for real Christmas.That's not I really want.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Dec 08
Yes, Christmas has become very commercialized but it doesn't have to be that way in our hearts. Ignore the business side and celebrate the meaning of the holiday.