Who knew? Decorating early for Christmas is healthy.  You may be happier, according to the experts if you have your tree decorated, and your house looking like Christmas well before Thanksgiving.  I thought I was ahead of the curve using Black Friday, as my traditional day to go tree hunting. It was the thing I looked forward to sharing with the grandkids! I think kids are great at choosing the tree and even better at helping decorate it!!

“In a world full of stress and anxiety, people like to associate to things that make them happy, and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood,” according to psychoanalyst Steve McKeown. Decorations are an anchor to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. So putting up those Christmas decorations early extends the excitement!” That seems logical enough.

Pyschotherapist Amy Molin agreed, explaining that Christmas decorations can take you back to a simpler time, at least mentally. “Nostalgia helps link people to their personal past, and it helps people understand their identity. For many, putting up Christmas decorations early is a way for them to reconnect with their childhoods.” She also says that it can help those who have lost someone feel closer to the loved one in question, adding that “decorating early may help them feel more connected with that individual.”

I have Aunt Margie’s miniature tree with the 50 year old tiny plastic ornaments and her original lighted white country church. I remember all these decorations from childhood. Putting them out makes me feel closer to her. I love my Christmas Italian Countryside dishes with the different trees in beautiful colors. Don’t you love these plates? They make me smile. I can almost smell the wafting of Christmas baking on the air. These are perfect for desserts. 🙂