What People Who Put Christmas Decorations Up Early All Have In Common, According To Psychologists
We may be one step closer to settling the debate about the right time to decorate.
Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock The correct time to put Christmas decorations up is an age-old debate. Some think the earlier the better, while others feel like you should wait until after Thanksgiving.
While there is no one right answer, research might just back up one line of thinking.
Psychologists are saying that people who put up Christmas decorations early are happier and friendlier.
When interviewed by TODAY, psychologist Deborah Serani said that decorating for the holiday season earlier “does create that neurological shift that can produce happiness.” There is real science behind the phenomenon, with Serani stating that “Christmas decorating will spike dopamine, a feel-good hormone.”
Reporting from Central Illinois Proud backs this up. They cite chromotherapy, or color therapy, which is the idea that “colors and lights can increase happiness and energy” as part of the science behind it. The concept of chromotherapy implies that Christmas lights, along with the colors we associate with the season, can bring a sense of happiness and positivity into one’s life.
Many people look forward to Christmas and get excited when they think of the holiday season. Having decorations up that serve as a constant reminder of the most wonderful time of the year can make someone happier.
It makes sense that the earlier those decorations go up, the happier you are. Between dopamine and chromotherapy, it’s clear that something is happening in each person’s brain when they put Christmas decorations up.
A study done by the Journal of Environmental Psychology said, “The results support the idea that residents can use their home’s exterior to communicate attachment and possibly to integrate themselves into a neighborhood’s social activities.”
This supports the idea that people who decorate earlier are friendlier, or at least perceived to be. Outdoor decorations can ingratiate one with their neighbors and make them appear to be more social. Christmas is a holiday beloved by many. Visible decorations can send the message that you are a fun, festive person.
Photo: Elina Fairytale / Pexels
Christmas is also a nostalgic time, which creates happiness for many.
According to Serani, “For a lot of us, Christmas is a magical time, it’s a time of innocence, it’s a time of joy.” During the holiday season, we are reminded of Christmases past when we felt that we experienced magic and wonder, especially as a child.
In recent years, it's important now, more than ever, to be brought back to simpler times. Central Illinois Proud interviewed Teresa Stout, the manager of a local craft store, who said, “A lot of people, especially once COVID hit, said that putting up the decorations makes them feel better about all the craziness that’s going on.”
During a time when the future feels more uncertain than ever, celebrating Christmas provides us with memories of better times. It can be comforting to remember the time we have enjoyed spending with family and friends, and the days when we would run downstairs to see what Santa had left for us as a child.
While there still may not be a definitive answer as to when the right time to put up Christmas decorations is, one thing is clear: People who put up their decorations earlier experience serious benefits.
So, if you feel the need for a little more happiness in your life, try putting up your decorations early. It may be just the boost you need.
Mary-Faith Martinez is a writer for YourTango who covers entertainment and news.