If ever there was an issue that divides opinion, the question of when you should put up your Christmas lights definitely qualifies. In the following sections, we’ll explore the origins of Christmas lights, and the merits of both putting lights up early and sticking with tradition.
Tradition and religion
Christmas as we know it in the UK today is a relatively recent phenomenon. The Christmas tree didn’t become popular until the mid-1800s, when Queen Victoria adopted the tradition under the influence of her German husband, Prince Albert. Christmas lights, in contrast, have their roots in ancient pagan festivities that marked the winter solstice, usually around the 21st or 22nd December, when candles were placed on evergreen boughs – the forerunners of our Christmas tree lights.
In terms of religion, Advent, which falls on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, is the start of the Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus, and so technically marks the first point at which decorations should be put up. With shops now marketing Christmas stock as early as September, however, and Christmas now being a more secular event for many, the date of 12 days before Christmas is perhaps the most popular option. However, younger people are less tied to tradition, and they are much more likely to get into the Christmas spirit earlier.
Reasons for sticking to traditional timings
If the rhythms and timings of your family Christmas are dictated by a faith-based approach to the festive season, you may well feel that December marks the start of the festivities. You might also be someone who wants to put up all your decorations in one go, and if that includes a real Christmas tree, you will be mindful of ensuring your tree is still fresh for Christmas Day, and not balding and wilted, having been dried out by central heating. Alternatively, you might simply be so busy that you are always last-minute when it comes to decorations, and so 12 days before is the most suitable option.
Advantages of being an early bird
Psychologists have suggested that in challenging times we commit more readily to any traditions that bring us joy, and this has certainly been reflected in the spike of early sales of Christmas lights in 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It makes sense to buy your Christmas decorations early, and then have the option to put them up whenever feels right for your family.
Putting up external Christmas lights often requires a significant amount of time and dry weather. Buying early, and thus allowing yourself the luxury of being able to choose the optimum conditions – along with reducing stress levels at an already hectic time of year – might be a wise move.
You might have noticed that an increasing number of local councils are choosing to invest in robust, long-lasting external lights that are left in situ all year, and are then turned on at the start of the holiday season. This pragmatic approach saves on manpower and might be a good solution for more subtle domestic lights too, particularly those that decorate roof lines and are difficult to take down each year.
Christmas lights lift our mood and brighten our spirits, and many would agree that this year, we all need that more than ever, so choose a time that’s right for you and make the most of your lights this festive season.
