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Permit yourself to start decorating for Christmas early this year. Embrace those nostalgic ornaments, enjoy the connections they help build, and let the warmth of holiday cheer brighten your days. Is it too early to decorate for Christmas? Go ahead, put up the Christmas lights now! Science says breaking out the decorations early will make you happier.
Everyone loves to argue about when Christmas decorations should be put up. But now, psychologists have found that people who put their decorations up early are happier and friendlier, also. Decorating early means a longer dose of dopamine-the "feel-good" chemical.
The lights, colors, and scents tap into childhood memories, which often remind us of simpler, happier times. Putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving is the mood booster we need this year in order to be a little happier. Decorating early can make us happier, but overdoing Christmas music too early can have the opposite effect (so maybe don't convert your whole playlist to holiday tunes just yet, especially if you've spent a holiday season or two working in retail).
If you've already started decorating your home for Christmas, you're not alone. A recent survey by The Home Depot, in partnership with Wakefield Research, asked 1,000 Americans when it's too early to put up a tree and garland. The results showed that 79% of people agree that decorating early helps them get into the holiday spirit.
Science has some pretty interesting reasons behind this. Some experts believe that decorating for the holidays early might make you happier, so grab your fairy lights, tinsel, and faux snow. Shop this article: Bottle Brush Trees for Christmas, 15in Ceramic Christmas Tree, 9-foot Christmas Garland with Lights Early Christmas decorating improves our moods chemically Psychologist Deborah Serani confirmed it in an interview with NBC's "Today" show.
"It does create that neurological shift that can produce happiness," she said. Why It's Actually Good to Decorate 'Early' for Christmas, According to Science Research shows it may make you happier and friendlier. Ho ho ho.
