The morning’s snow is melting away outside and there’s a cheesy festive flick on the telly as I add sparkling red and gold baubles to the Christmas tree in my living room; a tumbler of chilled Baileys in my hand. In other words, it’s a traditional festive evening in the run-up to Christmas – except, it’s still November (the 19t to be precise) which is the time of year I always get my tree up, my wreath on the front door and my halls decked with, well, decs.
Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year. As soon as the clocks go back I start itching to sweep aside the Halloween pumpkins and start unravelling the fairy lights. There's nothing quite as magical as the twinkling glow of the tree while I'm cosied up on the sofa. Is it a crime to want to enjoy that for as long as possible?
I am, however, aware that I am part of a very controversial minority, opting to begin festivities more than six weeks ahead of the big day. And yes, every year without fail, I’m greeted with looks of horror and protests of “it’s far too early!”. My colleagues were aghast when I mentioned my plans in the office this week, while my dad’s response to a photo of my beautifully lit tree on the family group chat was,“It’s not Xmas!!! Put the tree away!”
But is it really ever too early to get the festive party started? Well, according to Laura Windsor, Founder of the Laura Windsor Etiquette Academy and etiquette consultant for Netflix’s Bridgerton, it is.
“Ideally, a Christmas tree – made of real fir – should go up in mid-December, around the 17th, so that the tree lasts until the Twelfth Night,” says Laura. “Traditionally, trees were displayed as late as Christmas Eve. Nowadays, people are putting up their trees much earlier [but] the earliest acceptable date is 1 December.”
Ah, so I’m at least a little early then, being one of the 5% of people who puts up their tree mid to late November (according to a survey this month by Quotezone). In fact, the highest number of people (42% of respondents) said they put theirs up between 1 and 15 December – still much earlier than than tradition dictates.
So, why are people decking the halls increasingly early? Well, according to psychiatric nurse and mindset coach, Nicola Noél, it’s because it “taps into our brain’s reward system, specifically the release of dopamine, the “feelgood” neurotransmitter. The festive lights, nostalgic ornaments and seasonal rituals trigger a cascade of positive emotions linked to childhood memories and social connection.
“In today’s world, with stress and uncertainty at an all-time high, people are seeking comfort and joy wherever they can find it,” she says. “The earlier shift reflects a collective need to counteract negativity with uplifting traditions.”
Nicola describes the urge to decorate earlier as “a mental health boost in tinsel-covered form,” and it’s certainly a form of festive self-care I get on board with every year to beat the winter blues – even if it does mean bending the rules a little.
The rules of Christmas etiquette
And apparently, my tree isn’t the only festive crime I’ve committed, so, in case you were wondering how ‘posh’ or ‘common’ your own festive choices make you, these are the other golden rules of Christmas to follow, according to etiquette expert Laura:
“The later you open your presents, the posher you are. Only stockings are opened in the morning, with the main presents exchanged after the King’s speech. So you will need to wait until around 4pm.”
In keeping with my self-confessed ‘common’ habit of an excessively early tree, I’m ripping the wrapping paper almost the moment I open my eyes on my Christmas morning.
“White lights, rather than multi-coloured ones, should be used to recreate the shimmering effect of stars at night.”
I’m gaining some posh points here, as I can confirm my tree lights are white – photographic evidence above as proof.
“Only wreaths made from clippings from freshly cut Christmas trees should be hung on the door, which means no artificial wreaths or other decorations are used.”
I tried to make my own real wreath once and it looked like some the wind had blown some twigs against the door that hadn’t been cleared up yet. I’’ve used a fake wreath ever since.
“A star, not a fairy or angel should adorn the top of the Christmas tree.”
I always had a fairy on the tree growing up but have recently transitioned to a star. Looks like I’m going up in the world.
“A Christmas table setting is always classy – it’s not cluttered with decorative extras; cutlery and plates are always in full view.”
I decorate the table with candy canes and decorative napkins, so I think I fail this one. Although my cutlery and plates are in full view (but aren’t everyone’s – are people hiding them under the table or something?!)
“Lunch is served at 1pm on the dot and a traditional Christmas meal would consist of turkey with roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots and roast parsnips.”
I always aim to serve around 1pm but it’s usually more like 3pm as everything takes longer than you think and I’m terrible at timekeeping. I once accidentally grilled the chicken (not turkey, I know, yet another crime) for at least an hour by mistake because I leant on the oven dial. Delays did ensue.
But, while there might be social expectations around Christmas and a tendency to jump to judge when other people’s traditions don’t align with our own, Laura says there’s one rule that trumps them all.
“The most important etiquette around Christmas is treating others as you’d like to be treated,” she says. “If you’re excited about Christmas, there’s no harm in starting early. The etiquette here is, “Don’t judge others, spread joy instead!”
So, I don’t care if it makes me common or if everyone thinks I’m nuts for putting my tree up already – for me, Christmas comes early every year.
