By Julia Train
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, one debate arises each year: when is it acceptable to start decorating for Christmas? Should we wait until after Thanksgiving to deck the halls, or kick off the holiday season earlier?
On Nov. 22, I posted a poll on my personal Instagram account. I asked my followers when they decorate for Christmas— before or after Thanksgiving. I received 51 responses. Seventeen votes—or 33% — said they decorate before turkey day, while 34 — or 67% —wait until after.
Meanwhile, a Nov. 16 poll on the Shore Local Instagram revealed that those who decorate after Thanksgiving are the minority.
This great debate has sparked intense discussion, with strong, valid opinions on both sides.
The case for decorating before Thanksgiving
For many, Christmas is more than just a day on the calendar — it’s a season. The end of October marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, and by early November, many people are eager to embrace the festivities.
For those with busy lives — particularly families with children or people who work long hours — putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving offers more flexibility. If you can get the decorating done early, you have more time to relax and enjoy the season as it ramps up. You can avoid the stress of cramming everything in at once when the holiday season hits full swing.
Jenna DeLuca from Hammonton said she starts decking the halls on Nov. 1, skipping over decorating for Thanksgiving.
“It just doesn’t make sense for me to trek up and down the attic steps multiple times in one month to decorate for two separate holidays. Plus I like [to] have the tree up for photo ops during our Thanksgiving feast,” she said. “I don’t believe people are wrong for decorating at a different time though they are creating unnecessary work for themselves.”
A Wakefield Research survey of 1,000 Americans found that 79% of participants believe they feel more holiday spirit when they decorate for Christmas earlier. Additionally, 55% of respondents had already started decorating before Thanksgiving.
The case against decorating before Thanksgiving
For many, Thanksgiving holds a unique and sacred place in the holiday calendar. It’s a time to gather with family, express gratitude and reflect.
Starting the Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving can be seen as a dismissal of Thanksgiving’s importance.
For many families, the tradition of decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving is deeply rooted. The day after Thanksgiving — known as Black Friday — marks the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season, both in terms of shopping and decorating. For these households, waiting until after Thanksgiving feels like the natural, respectful way to honor the seasons and holidays.
Kevin Ward from Egg Harbor City begins decorating the day after Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving is a huge holiday for our extended family; It’s the holiday that always reminds us to be thankful for the little things and for our family and friends so we like to not skip or minimize thanks by not decorating for that holiday,” he said.
Ward said he thinks those who decorate earlier have their reasons but believes Thanksgiving shouldn’t be skipped over.
“It’s about being thankful and reminding ourselves that we’re surrounded by so many things to be thankful for, no matter how hard life gets,” he said. “At least that’s the value that I was raised with.”
There’s no right answer
Ultimately, the “right” time to decorate for Christmas is a matter of personal choice, guided by family traditions, convenience and individual preferences. Whether you choose to jump into the holiday spirit as soon as spooky season is over or wait until after your Thanksgiving feast, the most important thing is to embrace what brings you joy.
