Why an Early Christmas Tree Can Lift Your Mood

When the days grow shorter, everything feels greyer and the rain seems endless, many people start craving a little warmth in everyday life. This is precisely where the Christmas tree comes in – much earlier than most people might expect. Studies and reports from psychologists suggest that people who buy and decorate their tree in late autumn often feel happier, more relaxed and emotionally more balanced.

Putting up a Christmas tree early: what the research says

American psychoanalyst Steve McKeown, known for his MindFixers programme, has examined the effect of Christmas rituals on mental wellbeing in depth. He has observed that people who decorate very early often appear more even-tempered and upbeat.

“Early Christmas decorations work like an emotional light switch – they turn memories of carefree childhood days back on.”

McKeown describes baubles, fairy lights and the tree itself as a kind of “anchor”. They link us to times when life seemed simpler and easier – such as the feeling of discovering the first presents beneath the tree as a child, or the smell of biscuits in a grandparent’s living room.

This emotional anchor can be particularly helpful in late autumn, when sunshine is scarce and many people struggle with tiredness or mild seasonal depression. Seeing the tree, its warm glow and the familiar scent of fir all trigger positive memories, creating the effect of a brief mental escape.

Why early decorations can genuinely lift a low mood

Autumn often brings a certain sluggishness: people leave home in the dark and return in the dark, spend more of their free time on the sofa, and see friends less often. At this point in the year, a Christmas tree can take on a surprisingly powerful psychological role.

• A break from routine: Putting the tree up early interrupts everyday patterns and challenges the feeling that “every day is the same”.
• Light against darkness: Fairy lights and candlelight provide visual contrast to the early onset of darkness.
• Scents that influence mood: The aroma of fir needles or Christmas fragranced oils stimulates the brain’s limbic system, which is closely associated with emotions.
• Reassurance through ritual: Especially during uncertain times, regular rituals offer structure and a sense of control.

McKeown emphasises that early decorating is often connected with nostalgia. Many people unconsciously want to revive the “magic” of celebrations from the past or make up for childhood moments they missed. That need not be negative; on the contrary, deliberately revisiting happy memories can often help to steady one’s current emotional state.

How early is “too early” for a Christmas tree?

In German living rooms, the traditional Christmas-tree season generally begins during Advent, often shortly before the fourth Sunday of Advent. From a psychological perspective, however, there is little reason not to start in November or even at the end of October, depending on personal preference.

A few questions can make the decision easier:

• Am I currently feeling unmotivated or empty? If so, an early tree could provide a lift.
• Do I generally enjoy Christmas, or does the season tend to stress me? Those who love the festive period are especially likely to benefit from an early start.
• How tolerant are the people around me? In a shared house or rented flat, it may be sensible to consider a partner, housemates or neighbours.

Anyone who feels uneasy about having a fully decorated tree in October can take a gradual approach: begin with fairy lights in the window, add a few decorative touches, and bring in the tree later. Psychologically, the first visible sign of the festive season already counts – there is no need to create the complete look immediately.

Real or artificial Christmas tree – which makes you happier?

Whether a real or artificial tree has the better effect is not simply a matter of taste. Each option meets different needs.

People who want to begin early often choose an artificial tree first, particularly while the weather outside is still fairly mild. A real tree can then be added later, perhaps shortly before Christmas. This combines practical benefits with the strongest possible festive atmosphere.

How to use an early Christmas tree for your wellbeing

For an early Christmas tree to have its fullest effect, it helps to take a conscious approach. The aim is not simply to put something colourful in the living room, but to deliberately awaken emotions.

Tapping into memories deliberately

Personal touches are particularly effective:

• old baubles passed down from grandparents
• handmade decorations from school days
• photographs in small frames hung on the tree
• travel souvenirs that tell a story

Each item can prompt a specific memory. Pausing briefly while decorating, consciously recalling the associated moment and perhaps discussing it with family or a partner can strengthen the positive effect.

Building rituals around the tree

The tree can have an even greater impact when it becomes part of established rituals. For example:

• a weekly “tree evening” with tea, music and no phones
• a family evening for making new decorations
• an hour of reading in an armchair beside the illuminated tree
• a small gratitude ritual: hanging notes about positive experiences from the day on the branches

These intentionally created moments provide calm islands within daily life. Combining light, scent, music and ritual noticeably intensifies the psychological effect.

Risks and limits: when early decorations become a source of stress

As comforting as an early start can be, it does not suit every situation in life. Someone already under considerable performance pressure, or driven by high expectations of the “perfect celebration”, may feel burdened by extensive decorating too soon.

Possible warning signs include:

• Decorating feels like an obligation rather than a pleasure.
• You constantly compare your decorations with images on social media.
• Thinking about Christmas brings unease rather than anticipation.

In these cases, lowering expectations can help: choose a smaller tree, use fewer decorations and avoid a heavily styled “Instagram Christmas”. A deliberately simple tree can feel far more relaxing than a perfectly staged arrangement.

Why an early Christmas tree is especially good for families

The effect can be particularly pronounced in households with children. For them, the Christmas tree signals the start of a special period filled with anticipation, stories and small rituals. An early tree noticeably extends that time.

Parents report that, during this period, children often:

• talk more often about their wishes and are more open about their worries
• spend more time in the living room rather than in front of a screen
• enthusiastically join in with crafts and decorating

The tree therefore becomes something of a family communication hub. Conversations that might otherwise fade away in passing suddenly find a place, often naturally while the lights are switched on or new figures are tucked among the branches.

Practical tips for enjoying the Christmas tree for longer

Anyone planning to buy a real tree particularly early should keep a few points in mind, so it has not shed all its needles before Christmas Eve:

• bring it into the warmth as late as possible, storing it somewhere cool first, such as a balcony or garage
• use a tree stand with water and top it up regularly
• do not place it directly beside a radiator or fireplace
• choose sturdy varieties that shed their needles slowly, such as Nordmann fir

An alternative is to buy a small potted tree first, which can later be moved into the garden, and add a large cut tree only shortly before Christmas. This extends the festive mood without leaving the home full of needles weeks before Christmas Eve.

From a psychological point of view, the exact date on which the tree arrives matters less than making a deliberate choice to have it. Anyone who sees the Christmas tree not as another item on a to-do list but as personal “mood therapy” is likely to make the most of its potential – even, or especially, when it is already glowing in the living room well before December.