The friendly debate gets sparked each year as retailers push seasonal goodies long before the awaited holiday season.

While there isn’t a definitive right or wrong answer, we can all agree that 2020 has been a year full of unexpected circumstances and challenges—and perhaps the comfort and magic of the holidays may be more welcomed than ever. Whether it’s a festive coffee cup, extra twinkle lights, or a few Christmas songs, a little holiday cheer may be just the thing to lift your spirits.

Is There a Proper Time to Put up Holiday Decorations?

You can always count on those neighbors who deck out their yards for every major holiday. In the United States, decor kicks into high gear in October with Halloween. Skeletons start peeking out from behind the bushes, pumpkins adorn front porches, and all the rustic fall colors magically appear.

Halloween seems like the unofficial start of the holiday decorating season. People quickly transition from witches and spooks to turkeys and gratitude. And of course, those all lead up to the grand finale featuring Santa Claus and gift-giving.

With Americans celebrating a variety of traditions, there really isn’t a right time to start decorating (which, of course, you know!), but you may notice:

• The weekend after Thanksgiving people putting up holiday lights and purchasing Christmas trees.
  
  
• Gift buying between Halloween and Thanksgiving. 38% of people saying they will start buying gifts in October!
  
  
• Radio stations (especially in the United States) start playing Christmas music in November (compared to the United Kingdom when they start on December 1).
  
  
• Hannukah decorations and traditions beginning in November or December depending on when Hannukah falls.
  
  
• More Americans embracing Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration of African heritage, that goes from December 26 to January 1. Festivities and decorations often run throughout the month of December.

People Are Celebrating the Holiday Earlier and Earlier

It’s commonplace to start getting into some serious holiday spirit after Thanksgiving. Yet, with the holiday buzz generated by social media and retailers, excitement seems to be mounting long before Black Friday.

Etsy trend expert Dana Isom Johnson says, “We shouldn't hold back anyone's excitement for the holiday time because it's a moment to celebrate friends and family, and spend quality time together."

And what better year to get excited for the holidays than 2020?

Earlier this year, some people caught on to the trend of putting up holiday lights just to spread some cheer during quarantine. With so many people limited to their homes and neighborhoods, a few twinkling lights can really bring a smile and warm people’s hearts.

With so many unknowns right now, we can still count on the holidays coming, even if they look different this year. And people seem to be excited about focusing on gift-giving holidays like Christmas and Hannukah.

 A recent report from Pinterest shows that people are seriously “craving the comfort of the holidays,” with a 77% increase in holiday searches from April 2019 to April 2020.

Even Better? Studies Show Decorating for Christmas Early Is Good for Your Health

We know that more people are getting into the holiday spirit early this year, but there is actually scientific evidence that backs up the positive effects of preparing for and celebrating the holidays.

 When it comes to gift-giving, some studies have found a clear relationship between happiness and generosity, and overall wellness. For people who celebrate gift-giving holidays like Christmas, it makes sense that they’d want to start searching for the perfect present long before December.

 Additionally, the simple presence of holiday decorations can foster a sense of happiness and joy, like those so many of us remember from childhood.

Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown even says that “Decorating your house early extends those magical childhood emotions from times gone by, which can only serve as a constant reminder causing positive psychological changes that affect your mood.”

 In a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to associate with things that make them happy and [holiday] 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 [holiday] decorations early extend the excitement!

– Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown

 Whether you’re putting up Christmas decorations or finding those perfect gifts, nothing but positivity can come from embracing the spirit of the holidays.

There is never a bad time to invite more joy into your home, so why not get started today with a little holiday cheer?

Shop Pier1.com for more holiday decor and gift-giving ideas that are sure to bring a smile.