If you put up Christmas decorations very early, psychology says you possess these common traits

Mariah Carey says, “It’s time!” Her famous song can start playing – once she dealt with a naughty elf this year – and anyone who has already taken down their Halloween decorations can go ahead and put up all the lights, candles, pillows, rugs, stockings and even the tree.

By that point there are fewer than 50 days until Christmas, and we all know someone who already has their home fully decked out before the kids have munched the last of their collected candies. Maybe it’s you.

Is it good to decorate for Christmas early?

For psychoanalyst Steve McKeown, early decorating, anticipation and that rising holiday eagerness all have a positive emotional effect that goes far beyond preparing the house for the season. They prime the mind for celebration, for gathering, for being with family — whether that means one person, two, or an entire crowd. It’s a way of warming up emotionally for the hugs and smiles that define the holiday spirit.

McKeown, owner of The McKeown Clinic, says that putting decorations up early creates a direct link to the nostalgia of childhood Christmases.

“In a world of stress and anxiety, people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of childhood,” he said. He adds that, “decorations are simply an anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement so putting up those Christmas decorations early extends the excitement!”

Don’t worry. Not decorating early doesn’t mean anyone enjoys the holiday less, nor does choosing not to celebrate in a traditional way imply a troubled childhood. It just means some people want – or need – that additional festive lift.

Home décor and your emotional mind

Psychology has long examined how décor shapes well-being. Emotional interior design aims to create spaces that tell personal stories and foster positive feelings. It draws on principles such as natural light improving mood; order and cleanliness easing stress; functional layouts promoting harmony and flow; plants and natural materials lowering anxiety; and the emotional effects of color. Holiday décor fits this logic: it brings back happy memories, heightens anticipation and helps preserve traditions that might otherwise fade with time.

Research supports this idea. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that homes decorated on the outside were seen as more “friendly and cohesive,” and that their residents appeared more sociable and accessible during the holiday season. Décor served as a signal, a way of expressing openness and connection to the neighborhood.

Christmas remains the most eagerly awaited holiday for many people (though not for everyone, some would happily skip straight to Spring). Its core message centers on peace, affection, togetherness, presents that lift the spirit and time off that lifts it even more. For that reason, some researchers believe decorating before December can be a sign of a happy person, or at least of someone eager to feel that happiness sooner. Now where’s that tinsel?

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