Decorate when it feels right for you and your schedule. Most people start sometime after Thanksgiving or in the first week of December, but there’s no one-size-fits-all rule. Guiding tips to decide your timing:

• Traditions and mood: If you want Christmas to feel like a fresh, post-Thanksgiving transition, aim for the weekend after Thanksgiving or the first full week of December.
• Tree life and upkeep: If using a real tree, decorating earlier than late November can compress its freshness window. If you prefer a live tree, plan decorations no earlier than mid-December for best longevity. If you’re using artificial trees, you have more flexibility.
• Personal pace: If busy in November, consider decorating in early December in short bursts so the process stays enjoyable rather than rushed.
• Advent and events: Align décor to Advent timing or family gatherings to maximize the sense of celebration.
• Local climate and neighborhood vibe: In regions with early-winter lighting traditions, people often start earlier; in milder climates, decorations may go up closer to December.

Common approaches:

• After Thanksgiving weekend: A popular choice that preserves Thanksgiving as its own holiday.
• First week of December: Creates a clear shift from autumn to holiday décor.
• Earlier in November: Some keep it festive well before December for extended seasonal enjoyment, especially if using pre-lit lights and indoor displays.

Practical sequence to get started:

• Create a simple plan: decide where the tree goes, which rooms get garlands, and which outdoor displays you’ll install.
• Gather essentials: lights, ornaments, ribbons, wreaths, and a few new touches to refresh the look.
• Tackle in 2–3 sessions: a decoration-unpacking session, a tree-and major pieces setup, and a final decorating sweep with mood lighting and last-minute accents.

If you’d like, share your preferred style (classic, modern, cozy farmhouse, glam, minimalist) and any constraints (outdoor lighting, real tree, apartment vs house), and a tailored timeline and setup checklist can be created.