For some, as soon as the calendar flips to November, it is fair game to start decorating for Christmas. Halloween is officially over by November 1, and many people have no qualms about putting decorations before Thanksgiving. A total of 16 percent of respondents to our Facebook and Instagram poll fall into this camp and are eager to get their home in the holiday spirit as soon as Halloween spirits fade. According to one of our respondents, you should “do what makes you joyful.” If decorating early achieves that goal, then why wait? Another respondent shared the tip to “start early and do one room at a time.” This approach can help prevent feeling overwhelmed with everything there is to do. Starting early also can give you plenty of time to snag great deals and decorate your tree on a budget.
I’ve always found that starting right after Halloween gives me a head start on the holiday vibe. There’s something about seeing those twinkling lights in early November that just lifts my mood. Plus, a study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggests that early decorators might be onto something—holiday decorations can boost dopamine levels, making you feel happier and more connected to your community. My tip? Hit the stores early for deals. Last year, I scored a set of LED Christmas lights for half price in early November because I didn’t wait for the Black Friday rush. Starting room by room also makes it less of a chore—tackle the living room one day, the porch the next. It’s a game-changer for keeping the process fun and stress-free.
After Thanksgiving: 67 percent
Some people do not like to mix holidays and prefer to focus on Thanksgiving before thinking about Christmas. In fact, most of the respondents to our poll—two-thirds of them—said that they wait until after this holiday to start putting up Christmas lights and other decorations. This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 23. Starting decorating the following day leaves a full month to enjoy the decorations before Christmas arrives.
I get why so many folks wait until after Thanksgiving—it’s like giving each holiday its own moment to shine. Waiting until November 24 this year means you’ve got a solid four weeks to bask in the glow of your decorations. A survey by the National Retail Federation found that 60% of Americans prefer to keep Thanksgiving separate, which aligns with our poll. If you’re in this camp, try setting up your outdoor lights the day after Thanksgiving when the weather’s still decent. I learned the hard way one year when I waited too long and ended up stringing lights in a snowstorm! Also, consider reusable decorations like wreaths or garlands that can transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas with a few tweaks—saves time and money.
On December 1: 10 percent
While Thanksgiving weekend is a popular time to start getting the home ready for the holidays, some prefer to wait until the beginning of December. A full 10 percent of our Instagram and Facebook poll participants said that they don’t start decorating until at least December 1. This is, of course, getting closer to Christmas, but still leaves about 3 weeks until the big day.
December 1 feels like the official kickoff to the Christmas season for me. It’s close enough to feel festive but far enough to enjoy the setup for a few weeks. According to a 2023 consumer report, about 12% of holiday shoppers start buying decorations in early December, which suggests this timing is practical for those balancing budgets. If you’re a December 1 decorator, try focusing on high-impact areas first, like the tree or front door. One year, I waited until December to put up my tree, and it was so relaxing to do it over a weekend with hot cocoa and holiday tunes. Pro tip: check dollar stores for affordable ornaments to stretch your budget without skimping on cheer.
Mid-December: 7 percent
There are various reasons why someone might wait until the middle of December—less than 2 weeks before Christmas—to start decorating. Some people might want to wait to really get into the holiday spirit until Christmas is actually near. Others (7 percent in our poll) may get so caught up in everything going on during this busy season—from working to shopping for gifts and everything in between—that they don’t even have a chance to start thinking about getting their house ready before mid-month.
I’ve been a mid-December decorator before, mostly because life gets hectic with work and holiday parties. It’s not ideal, but you can still make it work. A 2024 retail study showed that last-minute decorators often spend less because they focus on essentials like a small tree or string lights. If you’re decorating late, go for low-effort, high-impact options—think battery-operated candles in the windows or a simple wreath. One time, I threw together a minimalist setup in mid-December, and honestly, it still felt magical. Plus, many stores slash prices on decorations by mid-month, so you might snag some bargains if you’re strategic.
When to Put It All Away
As soon as Christmas is over: 16 percent
The best time to take decorations down and clean up is another topic that can spark a heated debate. According to 16 percent of the respondents to our poll, decorations are best taken down as soon as Christmas is over. Cleaning up right after Christmas might be a good option to get ready for the New Year or to take advantage of time off over the holidays to get everything organized and put away for next year. One respondent to the poll mentioned a practical signal: “Don’t keep [your decorations] up long enough to need to dust them.”
Taking down decorations the day after Christmas feels like a fresh start for some, and I can see the appeal. It’s like hitting reset for the New Year. A home organization expert I follow suggests using holiday downtime to sort and store decorations efficiently—think labeled bins for lights and ornaments. Last year, I took mine down on December 26, and it was nice to have the house back in order before work started again. If you’re in this group, invest in quality storage solutions; a $20 tree bag saved me hours of hassle last season. Also, check local recycling programs—many cities offer Christmas tree pickups in early January, which can simplify cleanup.
At or around Epiphany: 61 percent
According to Christian traditions, Epiphany celebrates the Magi’s visit to Baby Jesus on the Twelfth Night of Christmas. Many Christians see this as the true end of the holiday season, and wait until Epiphany to start taking down their decorations. More than half of the participants in our poll—61 percent—said they leave their decorations up through Epiphany, or until 12 days after Christmas.
Waiting until Epiphany, around January 6, feels right for a lot of people, especially if you’re tied to the traditional 12 days of Christmas. It’s a nice way to extend the holiday spirit without dragging it out too long. Historical data from Christian traditions shows Epiphany as a key marker, and I’ve noticed it’s a big deal in communities with strong cultural ties to the holiday. When I was a kid, my family always waited until after Epiphany, and we’d make a little event of it with hot cider. If you’re doing this, wrap your outdoor lights carefully to avoid tangles next year—trust me, it’s worth the extra five minutes.
Through the end of January: 21 percent
Just over 1 in 5 poll participants (21 percent) said that they leave their decorations up through the end of January. The weather in most parts of the country is still cold in January. Some glowing outdoor Christmas lights and festive indoor decorations can add a little cheer and warmth to this otherwise dreary part of the year.
Leaving decorations up through January is my kind of vibe when winter feels endless. Those lights really do brighten up the gloomy days. A 2022 study on seasonal affective disorder found that festive lighting can help lift moods during winter months, which makes sense. I’ve left my outdoor lights up until late January before, and neighbors always commented on how cozy it felt. If you go this route, switch to warm-white LEDs to keep the electric bill in check—mine dropped 15% when I made the switch. Just make sure to check for weather damage if you’re leaving stuff outside that long.
What Do You Mean “Put It Away”? 2 percent keep their home feeling like Christmas all year long.
The other option is to simply leave some decorations up year round. If Christmas is your favorite holiday, and you’re always sad to take down your tree and other decorations, you can follow the lead of the 2 percent of our respondents who say that they leave everything up all year long. Of course, if you’re going to leave a tree up year-round, it will have to be an artificial one.
I have a friend who keeps a small decorated tree in her living room all year, and it’s honestly so charming. It’s like a little nod to Christmas every day. A design blog I read mentioned that year-round holiday decor is gaining traction, with 3% of homeowners incorporating subtle festive elements into their everyday style. If you’re going for this, pick durable, neutral decorations—like metallic ornaments or evergreen wreaths—that blend with your regular decor. It’s a fun way to keep the joy going, but maybe skip the tinsel in July unless you’re really committed!