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When do you Start Decorating for Christmas?

Real Estate Agent with The Buyers' Counsel

November 22, 2010 09:15 AM

From Christmas enthusiasts to holiday Grinch's, everyone has their own timetable about when to start bringing in the holiday spirit.

When I was driving through the downtown areas of Metrowest towns, as early as two weeks ago, the streets were already decked out with official holiday wreaths and festive city lights. I am sure I must have winced at this. It is equal to the feeling I get when I call a company these days and they put me on hold with Christmas music.

But, the actual time to begin the season is soon approaching and I did a little research on the question of decorating timetables.

Thanksgiving is an obvious landmark that indicates the entrance to the holidays. Some people begin their decorating soon after the big meal.

More respondents said that they decorate on the day after Thanksgiving. But, that would definitely eliminate any "Black Friday" shopping trips which are all-consuming. Others wait until it is closer to Christmas day. But isn't that a lot of trouble to go to for such a short time to enjoy it all?

We could start this week - as early as today to get a jump on things. But this begs the question of whether or not we will be completely tired of it by the end of the year.

So, when do you start your Christmas decorating?

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Claudette Millette, Broker, Owner, MetroWest Properties & The Buyers' Counsel - (508) 881-6230

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Victor Zuniga

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties - San Diego, CA

In my family we usually started November 31st so that our house would be ready on the 1st of December so I go with that.

Nov 22, 2010 09:23 AM

Judith Parker

ProStead Realty - Charlotte, NC

CRS, GRI, CMRS, Charlotte, NC

Hi Claudette, I have family flying in from Florida and they can't come for Christmas, so I just finished all of my decorating. It looks beautiful and I know that they will really enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 22, 2010 09:24 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Victor:

I am sure that you mean November 30. But I understand - next week.

Judith:

That is a great reason for getting it all done early. They are going to love it!

Nov 22, 2010 09:32 AM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Since it's just me and my husband, some years we don't decorate at all. This year we will put up the tree on Black Friday. I don't do that whole crazy shopping thing. I don't like crowds. My granddaughter will be at our house on Friday, so I thought it would be something fun to do together!

Nov 22, 2010 10:12 AM

Kathleen Frawley

Keller Williams 916 730-4404 Elk Grove, Wilton, Folsom, Sacramento - Wilton, CA

South County Sacramento, 916 730 4404

I don't start to decorate until AFTER I've washed all the thanksgiving dishes AND had time for a nap... so first week in December.

Nov 22, 2010 11:24 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Donna:

It is only the two of us as well. It is still a lot of fun to decorate and celebrate Christmas. I put up a huge tree and loads of decorations all around the house.

Kathleen:

Wow - it takes you a long time to straighten up from Thanksgiving. Enjoy it and have a great holiday season.

Nov 22, 2010 11:36 AM

Donne Knudsen

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA

CalState Realty Services

Claudette - Historically, the week before Halloween, I have hubby bring down all the holiday decorations. Our street gets into all the year end holidays. The weekend after Thanksgiving, hubby and I start decorating the outside of the house (we really do it up). After that, I start decorating the inside and typically finish up a few days later.

Nov 22, 2010 12:19 PM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Claudette: I started doing my decorating earlier and earlier. When we were kids, we always used my Dad's birthday as a landmark. That was December 16th. After he died, and I moved out on my own, I started decorating after Thanksgiving...then eventually before Thanksgiving. Haven't done any this year yet. This will be an after Thanksgiving year.

Nov 22, 2010 12:36 PM

Gretchen Karr

Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty - Lancaster, PA

Realtor

Claudette, I love the holiday time especially the decorating! I start to decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving decorations come down and the Christmas ones go up! I just hate to blend the two holidays together and I want to give each one their time to shine!

Nov 22, 2010 02:08 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Donne:

Wow - you are an early starter, bringing the decorations down before Halloween. I guess you answered my question about getting tired of them. It sounds like you don't.

Chris Ann:

That is interesting, using your father's birthday as a guide for decorating. I am sure you still think about him during the holidays. We never forget our parent's birthdays.

I have also become an earlier decorator. One of the inspirations for this post was that I was thinking today about going into the attic and bringing down the Christmas decorations. I think Friday will be day for me, as well.

Gretchen:

You have Thanksgiving decorations? That is impressive. You must really be into the holidays.

Nov 22, 2010 02:42 PM

Ken Barker Realtor® GRI, E-Pro Certified

Dilbeck Real Estate - Burbank, CA

Claudette - Funny timing. I agree with everyone above but I have noticed some homes decorated already and TODAY I heard my first XMAS song on the radio. Oh My.....Yes I said radio not CD or satellite. Just happened to be on. I could not believe it.
HoHoHo.

Nov 22, 2010 03:32 PM

Cindy Bryant

Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX

"Houston Home Staging Pros"

I actually put some lights on our patio for the heck of it tonight, and got eaten by mosquitos, go figure. I think I'll stick to indoor decorating and wait until it cools down!

Nov 22, 2010 03:32 PM

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

We usually start this week. My wife will get out all the stuff and we'll get everything set up by this weekend. The whole family is involved but it's mostly my wife directing and placing things.

Nov 22, 2010 05:22 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Ken:

Yes, they seem to be starting early with the Christmas music this year. You have to be very selective about the stations if you want to avoid it. (I don't think they are playing it on "classic rock" just yet.)

Cindy:

It sounds like it is still warm in Houston. No mosquitoes could possibly survive right now in Massachusetts. It is chilly.

Bryan:

So, everyone gets into it at your house. That sounds productive. My husband will not touch any of it. But I have a good time putting it all up.

Nov 22, 2010 10:57 PM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I love this and it should be featured! At our house we have a strict requirement to NOT begin until after Thanksgiving but it also ties to our Son's birthday which is November 19th. When he was younger it irritated him no end to see Christmas decorations and al the Advertising BEFORE his day. He just turned 21 over the weekend and told me it still bothers him to see Christmas come so soon!

I am on my way to pick up our daughetr at the airposr who is home for Thanksgiving and I hope that yours is a good one too!

Nov 23, 2010 01:31 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Russell:

Well, thank you.

It sounds like you have your traditions firmly in hand. And, it is so good of you to give your son's birthday its proper due. When someone has a birthday near Christmas it can end up being short-changed. My husband's birthday is January 11, then we have my birthday in February, Valentines Day, and our anniversary follows close behind. So, begins the season...

Have a wonderful one!

Nov 23, 2010 01:39 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

We starat the outside first. It depends on the weather. But just because we decorate early doesn't mean we turn everything on right away. Inside depends on our busy schedual. The business also dictates how much we decorate.

Nov 24, 2010 01:35 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

William:

You decorate outside? I'll bet it is beautiful when it is all done. You have to time that just right so that you are not freezing out there putting up the lights.

Have a wonderful one.

Nov 24, 2010 03:39 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and I want to make sure I actually celebrate Thanksgiving. We have always started decorating on the first of December.