Premature Festivities: Is the Early Decoration of Christmas Trees Overdone?

 

It appears everyone holds a view on when the ideal moment arrives to unveil the festive adornments.

For many, it’s typically at the onset of December, while others opt to embellish their surroundings as soon as the nights grow longer.

Traditionally, the customary time to deck the halls with Christmas décor aligns with the commencement of Advent, falling this year on 3rd December, marking the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas.

Mike Beatson-Smith, a creative director hailing from Ilkley, West Yorkshire, stands among those who’ve already adorned their abode for weeks. His tree took pride of place initially, followed by the external decorations a week later.

He remarked, “Halloween decorations come down, and in its place, Christmas décor ascends.”

“We’ve adorned our place with approximately 20,000 lights, and a vibrant pink tinsel drape adorns the towering glass apex of our 15-foot-high house, reaching all the way up to the ceiling.

“Whenever I mention setting up my Christmas tree at the beginning of November, I receive quizzical glances. But as everyone knows me as Mr. Claus, they simply nod along!”

This season, Mr. Beatson-Smith has already hosted a festive dinner for eight individuals – all on Bonfire Night.

He attributed his fondness for Christmas to his childhood, reminiscing about the joy of cruising through Hull with his parents, marvelling at the glistening festive displays.

“For me, Christmas kicks off early, and especially during an economic downturn, we could all use every ounce of joy,” he remarked.

Another individual diving into the festive spirit ahead of time is Siobhan Murphy, an interior designer and influencer hailing from Castleford, Leeds. Her design ethos is encapsulated in the title of her book, “More Is More Decor”.

Expressing her enthusiasm, she stated, “Christmas holds a special place in my heart, particularly the anticipation, adorning the house, the cheerful tunes on the radio, and the perennial question, ‘When is the tree going up?'”

“For me, seasonal embellishment is a delight, hence the earlier, the merrier. I relish every moment of festive cheer.”

Murphy highlighted the necessity for early preparation in her role as an influencer, noting that Christmas advertising campaigns often commence as early as September to ensure readiness for the holiday season.

“I’ve had occasions where I’ve launched a campaign, thought it looked good, and just decided to maintain it,” she explained.

“My advice, as in all aspects of life, is to do what brings you joy.”

Christmas lights hold deeper significance beyond mere decoration; sometimes, they carry sentimental value.

Consider Saskia, a resident of Bempton Grove in Hull, who, along with her two siblings, adorns their home inside and out every 1st of November.

For them, it’s a tribute to their late mother, who passed away on Boxing Day 13 years ago.

She recounted, “Despite the rain and wind, we persevered to put things up. Passersby took photos and praised how wonderful it all appears.”

“Waking up to this brings us immense joy,” she expressed.

“This holds deep sentimental value for our family. We’ve endured years without her, and this brings us closer together as a family,” she reflected.

“I believe it would make her proud of all of us.”

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s a significant number of individuals who delay their tree decorating until later in the festive season. Marianna Easter, a resident of West Yorkshire with roots in Norway, has embraced the Scandinavian custom of observing Christmas on the 24th of December.

Easter explained, “It’s a Scandinavian tradition. The notion is that Little Christmas Eve, which falls on the day before Christmas Eve, is the time for making preparations.”

“It’s a day devoted to readying oneself for the upcoming festivities, encompassing everything from culinary preparations to adorning the surroundings with decorations.”

Recalling her childhood, Easter reminisced, “When I was young, Little Christmas Eve was dedicated to setting up the tree and making all the necessary arrangements. Christmas Eve, then, was our primary celebration, featuring the Christmas feast and the exchange of gifts.”

Now a mother of two daughters, aged 11 and seven, Easter and her family cherish and blend traditions from both Norway and the UK.

“We unwrap our Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve, typically following a lunch featuring celeriac soup, salmon, and assorted pickled treats.”

“Come Christmas Day, we still indulge in the traditional turkey and its accompaniments, maintaining that distinction.”

In addition to leaving a carrot and mince pie for Father Christmas, the family also sets out some Christmas porridge for the Nisse – the Norwegian equivalent of Santa Claus.

According to folklore, the Nisse (or Jul Nisse) watches over farm animals and plays pranks on children if they overlook leaving porridge for him.

Describing the porridge, Mrs. Easter elaborated, “The porridge has a slight tang, sweetened with sugar, cinnamon, and a knob of butter. It’s wonderfully creamy and delightful.”