Do you frown at the idea of baubles in November? Or do you deck the halls as soon as Hallowe'en is over?
New insights suggest that those who decorate for Christmas earlier are, in fact, happier.
Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown spoke to Unilad UK about decorating for Christmas in advance, and why it can act as a mood boost for people.
"In a world full of stress and anxiety people like to associate with things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of childhood. Decorations are simply an anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. So putting up those Christmas decorations early extend the excitement!"
Another reason people may decorate earlier is to deal with feelings of grief or loss. Psychotherapist Amy Morin invites us to be more kind and empathic before we judge others for being too festive too soon, as this may be a coping mechanism for them
Credit: Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas Pexels
"For many putting up Christmas decorations early is a way for them to reconnect with their childhoods. It may be a bittersweet feeling. Perhaps the holidays serve as a reminder of when a loved one was still alive. Or maybe looking at a Christmas tree reminds someone of what life was like when they still believed in Santa. For people who have lost a loved one, the holidays may serve as a reminder of happy times they had with that person in the past. Decorating early may help them feel more connected with that individual."
Research from the Journal of Environmental Science also indicates that Christmas decorations can make you appear friendlier to your neighbours. The evidence suggests decorations act as cues, a way to communicate their accessibility to neighbours, and houses with outdoor decorations were considered to be more friendly and cohesive
