When Should You Put Your Christmas Tree Up?
Everyone has their own Christmas tree traditions, from favourite decorations, to where the tree should go in the house – and just when to put it up is no exception!
Some people prefer to stay as close to Christmas Day as possible, whereas others love to get festive as early as November! Traditionally, trees would be decorated on Christmas Eve, which might seem a little late, but at least it guarantees your tree is still looking fresh on the big day itself!
Whilst having a real tree can truly bring some extra magic to your festive celebrations, many people worry that they won’t be able to last the weeks leading up to Christmas. With so much conflicting advice, it can be hard to know when is the right time to put up your tree! If you’re feeling unsure, this little guide will take you through everything you need to know, to ensure your tree is still looking luscious come Christmas Day.
Putting Up Your Christmas Tree
Deciding to put up your Christmas tree as early as November can certainly get you in the festive spirit, but it might be best for those who prefer artificial trees.
Like all plants, Christmas trees will begin to wilt a certain amount of time after being cut. There are some great ways to help keep your tree fresher for longer, but no one wants a tree that has lost all of its needles before the big day!
Traditional approaches to putting up your Christmas tree and decorations may seem far too late in the month, but there’s actually a reason behind waiting as long as possible!
When Christmas trees first came into use in the Victorian era, many people chose to wait, to ensure that their Christmas decorations would be as beautiful as possible for Christmas Day.
Most families either chose to either put their tree up 12 days before Christmas (13th December) or on the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
However, since the creation of artificial trees, and newer varieties of real Christmas trees that last longer, people have been putting up their Christmas trees much earlier.
Advent is an important date in the Christian calendar, and marks the weeks before the birth of Jesus, it starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This year the start of Advent falls on the 28th November, so following Christian tradition this is the date you would put up your Christmas tree.
Truthfully, you can put up your Christmas tree whenever you would like, other popular dates are the 1st December and the first saturday of December.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you, different types of Christmas trees will last longer than others, but try not to go any earlier than December 1st, to ensure your Christmas tree is as fresh as possible throughout the entire festive season.
How can I keep my Christmas trees fresher for longer?
Once you’ve put up your tree, there are a few handy ways to keep it looking freshly cut all December long!
The main factor is moisture. As soon as you get your tree home, you need to put the trunk in some water. This way, your tree will be able to keep circulating nutrients, which will prevent needle loss and drooping. Keep in mind that trees need a lot of water, so it’s important to keep refilling your tree stand often.
Another thing to remember is that trees don’t like extreme temperatures. Everyone loves a cosy home at Christmas, but try to keep your tree away from hot radiators or draughty windows if possible! Keeping your trees at a constant, moderate temperature will ensure that they don’t start to droop too soon!
