The festive season appears to be arriving earlier than ever, with celebrities like Amanda Holden already showcasing elaborate Christmas decorations in November. Holden, a television personality, revealed her Surrey mansion adorned with festive lights and greenery more than seven weeks before Christmas Day.
This trend extends beyond Holden, with other public figures, including Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona and actress Claire Sweeney, also sharing their early holiday preparations on social media. A survey of 2,000 adults found that over a quarter have already begun decorating and listening to Christmas music, a phenomenon dubbed ‘Christmas-maxxing’ by the chocolate company that commissioned the study, suggesting a desire to prolong the festive period.
Traditionalists often adhere to putting up decorations on the first day of Advent, which falls in late November or early December. However, retail spaces and public venues like St Pancras International have also unveiled their festive displays earlier than usual, with the London train station presenting an 11-meter Christmas ‘tree’ structure in early November.
Experts suggest that the increasing trend of early decorating may stem from a desire for comfort and joy as the days shorten and weather turns colder. Whinnie Williams, an interior designer for Christmas tree supplier Balsam Hill, noted that while the first week of December remains the most popular time for decorating, a significant percentage of people start in November. She advises a gradual approach to decorating, incorporating autumnal and winter foliage before adding more overt Christmas elements, allowing people to enjoy the festive ambiance for longer without it feeling premature.