The Right Time To Put Up Your Christmas Tree, According To Our Readers

Christmas is a magical time when our homes turn into little wonderlands, filled with the glow of twinkling lights and the smell of fresh baked cookies. We gather around crackling fireplaces with our loved ones, wrapped in cozy blankets while cradling mugs of balmy cocoa—there’s truly nothing like being home during the holidays. But as fun and festive as the season may be, things can get tricky if you ask us to stray from our cherished traditions. Each family has its own set of rules they like to follow: When is the best time to open presents? When should a family eat dinner? And most pressingly: When is the right time to put up your Christmas tree? We wanted to know when people are putting up their trees, so we asked, and you answered. Here is what our audience had to say.

It’s Already Up (And It’s Only October)

Like a kid excited for presents on Christmas morning, some of our readers just can’t wait. The first cold breeze of October is enough to spark their holiday cheer, and they’ve wasted no time retrieving their trees from the attic. “October 15th is a good starting date,” one reader said. While pumpkins and phony spider webs are still on porches, their homes are already glowing with festive lights. All this Christmas excitement might seem premature to some, but for others, it’s all about reveling in the spirit of the season just a little bit longer.

It Never Came Down

At the end of the day, there’s no pressure to put up a Christmas tree if the tree never comes down. “I got an artificial tree two Christmas ago, and it has been up since,” one of our readers said, and many of you shared similar stories. “I decided to leave it up year round so I could enjoy all my beautiful Christopher Radko ornaments,” another said. Whether it’s a prolonged admiration for your display, a bit of accidental procrastination, or a combination of both, there’s no shame in keeping your home looking festive all year long.

Right After Halloween

Many of our readers said immediately after Halloween is the perfect time to put up the tree. As soon as the Halloween decorations come down, the Christmas decorations go right up. “I like a good two months to enjoy all the things,” one reader said. According to another, they’re putting up the tree “while handing out the Halloween candy.” Keeping their homes decorated, whether spooky or merry, helps them feel festive all throughout the year.

Right Before Thanksgiving

According to some of our readers, the best time to put up the Christmas tree is right before the turkey carving and gift shopping begins. This method allows them better savor the moments leading up to the holidays. “I put it up the day before Thanksgiving, then when everyone is here, we put the ornaments on,” one reader said. Another said the weekend before Thanksgiving is perfect: “I don’t like to leave mine up too long after Christmas, so it goes up early so we can enjoy it for all family get-togethers.”

Never Before Thanksgiving

Many of you like to give other holidays a chance to breathe before breaking out the Christmas tree. “After Thanksgiving” was one of the most popular answers. One reader shared, “I allow time for Thanksgiving to have its turn before going into Christmas mode”‘ while another said, “One holiday at a time, please!” Though some of our readers wait until after Thanksgiving, they don’t waste any time after that—many are putting up the tree the very next day. Others prefer to wait until the first week of December.

Alison Gootee

Christmas Eve

This one might take a few of you by surprise, but the day before Christmas was a pretty popular answer. One reader shared a story of her mom going to bed on Christmas Eve with no decorations in sight. “When she woke up Christmas morning, the tree magically appeared and was decorated,” the reader said. For some, waiting until Christmas Eve is part of the magic. Others like to save their decorations specifically for the holiday, making the act of decorating a special tradition reserved only for the night before.

Whenever You Want To

Last but not least, different variations of “whenever you feel like it” made up the #1 answer. Whether it was “your house, your rules,” or “do what makes you happy,” the majority of our readers said there is no right or wrong time to put up a Christmas tree. After all, the beauty of the holidays lies in the unique traditions each family creates. Southerners excel at keeping family traditions alive, passing down stories and customs from generation to generation. And that’s what truly matters—celebrating in a way that feels personal and meaningful, no matter the timing.