Halloween is over, and that means it's officially acceptable to talk about Christmas.
Pumpkins fade and the nights draw in, and suddenly the first whiff of holly or the gentle sound of a Christmas carol doesn't feel quite so out of place.
Although many Christmas markets, trade fairs and events across the country open their doors at the beginning of November, it may still be a little early to transform your home into a real winter wonderland. After all, there's something to do with enjoying the build rather than diving in headfirst.
If you can't get enough of Christmas, you shouldn't stop decorating. If decorating the hallways early brings joy, then by all means untangle the fairy lights and add some sparkle.
But for anyone wondering when the ideal time is to dust off your decorations – so you can make the most of the season without risking festive fatigue on Christmas Day – there's an official date you should mark on your calendar.
As David Sumner, Sales Manager at Christmas Tree World, suggests: The perfect date to bring out the tree and decorations is November 30th. This is not just any old date from the calendar; Then Advent begins – the traditional countdown to Christmas.
Advent, derived from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “arrival,” lasts the four Sundays before Christmas. It is a time of reflection, hope and joyful preparation for the arrival of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.
“The beginning of Advent has become a treasured tradition for many households and marks the official start of the festive season,” adds David.
So when you choose to decorate the Christmas tree, hang your heirlooms, and place nutcracker figurines around the house on the first Sunday of Advent, you're honoring a long-standing Christian tradition—and because it always falls on a weekend, it's the perfect excuse to make it a special occasion.
However, there is no uniform way to celebrate. David shares, “In recent years, we've seen a shift in which more and more families are embracing the holiday spirit right after Halloween and creating cozy, festive spaces that they can enjoy over a longer period of time.”
Whether you turn your home into a glittering sanctuary now or wait until late November or even early December, what really matters is that it feels right for you and your family.
After all, Christmas is about joy, connection and tradition, no matter when the first ball finds its place on the Christmas tree.
Wanda Sachs is the Daily Writer for House beautiful And Country lifeDiscover the latest in interior design, home trends, real estate news, wellbeing and sustainable living. With a strong sense of style and a passion for storytelling, she previously served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she launched and ran the magazine's monthly style section and reported on new fashion trends. Wanda holds a combined BA in English and German from the Goethe University Frankfurt.