The Christmas tree became popular in the United Kingdom, when Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert introduced the tradition from his home country of Germany. He not only placed one in the royal home, but also sent them out to soldiers’ barracks and schools around Windsor. Ever since, it has become a growing tradition for us to take a tree into our homes to celebrate the season.
The original UK trees in the Victorian era were decorated with roses created from paper, ribbons and gingerbread treats, but today we have a host of amazing options to decorate with, including light-up baubles, icicle lights and stars to hang from the branches. Similarly, lighting trees has also advanced since then. Whereas once candles were used for a festive glow, today we have much safer choices on offer with LED-powered fairy lights in a variety of colours and shapes easily available to purchase.
Many of us enjoy Christmas so much, we can’t wait to get started, while others like to wait before they begin so the event remains special. Whatever camp you fall into, you may be wondering when is too early for your Christmas tree? As you can imagine, you’ll find many different answers, but here are a few conveniently collected for you choose from.
Earlier each year?
You could easily be forgiven if you’re one of the many people who want to get cracking early. From supermarkets selling festive nibbles, to shops stocking cards and wrap adorned with Santa and snowmen, it can feel like Christmas begins in the month of November. Many towns and cities across the UK have tree lighting ceremonies and decoration days far in advance of December. Carnaby Street in London switched on its festive lights with a special Christmas shopping extravaganza on November 7th this year.
Psychoanalysts have stated that decorating for Christmas can have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing. Mentally, it encourages feelings of nostalgia, allowing us to access happy childhood memories of Christmas. Chemically, evidence shows that decorating for the season causes an increase in levels of feel-good hormones produced in our bodies. Mental health professionals suggest that by extending the season and starting early, we can feel happier for longer, and this is why people start Christmas earlier each year.
December 1st?
December 1st can be a logical selection for the day to start decking out your house and garden for Christmas, including putting up the tree, which has become a centrepiece for the season in our homes. For some the first day of Christmas is the first of December and typically when January rolls around, down comes the tree, with decorations packed carefully away for another year.
December 1st falls on a Sunday this year, so it will be a convenient day for many families too.
The 12 days of Christmas?
For others celebrating the season, putting the tree up 12 days before Christmas is the best method. On December 13th each year, the tree is brought inside, or down from the attic, and decorated for Christmas. Those putting up their Christmas tree 12 days before often keep to the rule of “12 days before and 12 days after”, and make sure the tree is taken down by January 6th.
The Advent?
Advent is date considered important in the Christian calendar, and tradition states that Christmas trees should first be put up at the very beginning of the Advent. This occurs on the fourth Sunday that takes place before Christmas day, which means we’re back to December 1st again this year.
The night before Christmas?
Only for the truly patient among us, Christmas Eve is sometimes the day dedicated for putting up the Christmas tree. If you can wait until the night before the day you open your presents to start decorating, it might make for a truly special Christmas Eve, but many people will be ready for a well-earned rest by then and prefer a mince pie and some mulled wine. This date for decorating the tree was popular in Victorian times when Christmas really got into its stride here in the UK. In the 1800s, a tree was never put up before the December 22nd or 23rd, and more typically kept for the 24th. This wasn’t only due to tradition, but also because the people of the time believed decorating too early could result in bad luck.
Homegrown advice from the experts
If you’re opting for a real Christmas tree for your home this season, when you put one up is an important consideration. Bought too early, your tree may be looking a little worse for wear by the time Christmas day arrives.
According to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), real Christmas trees shouldn’t be bought any sooner than December 1st. If properly cared for, the BCTGA states that a real tree should last for at the very least, around four weeks making it to the big day in great shape. A real tree should be tended to just like any other plant brought inside to a dry, warm atmosphere. Regular watering is key, as well as placing your tree away from heat sources such as pipes and radiators where possible.
Today, there are many realistic alternatives to real trees, with evergreens of all kind artificially crafted especially for Christmas. From the Brockton Spruce and the Kensington Fir to the Keswick Pine, there are many choices of tree. You’ll also find pre-lit options that save you the bother of untangling those troublesome lights when it comes time to decorate. Artificial trees come in all different shapes and sizes designed to fit a wide selection of living spaces, so if you opt one, you’re sure to find a fir that’s a fit. When it comes time to put it away for next year, you can purchase a festive red Christmas tree storage bag, which is lightweight yet sturdy, and easy to use.
Along with no unwanted needles to hoover, the other benefit of an artificial tree is you won’t need to worry about how soon you put it up for Christmas, so you can do it as early or as late as you feel like.
