I know, I know—some people will clutch their pumpkin spice lattes and insist that we shouldn’t even think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving. “One holiday at a time!” they say. But here’s the thing: life is short, and if decking the halls a few weeks early makes you smile, I say go for it!

The older I get, the more I realize how much our joy is something we have to choose. We spend so much of the year juggling school schedules, church events, kids’ activities, and work deadlines. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, life goes into full December overdrive—musical performances, Christmas programs, shopping and wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and squeezing in every family tradition we can. There’s barely a minute to breathe, let alone haul out boxes of decorations.

So, for me, decorating early isn’t about skipping over Thanksgiving—it’s about making room for the joy before the chaos hits. I start in early November, and honestly? It’s become one of my favorite traditions.

I put up four or five Christmas trees every year—yes, really! It takes time (and a lot of help from my husband and son for the heavy lifting), but I love it. Themed trees bring me so much joy. I spend months envisioning the designs, selecting ornaments, ribbons, and accessories—it’s my creative outlet, my artistic side of the holidays.

This year, we’re doing something new and fun: a Harry Potter-themed tree in our TV room! My mom made the most gorgeous Harry Potter tree skirt for us, and I can’t wait to go all out with this one. It’ll probably be the first tree to go up—yes, before Thanksgiving. I’m excited for everyone to see it, and it just feels right to let a little magic shine early this year.

Of course, that’s not our only tree. Our “fancy tree” goes up in the parlor, our Chrismon tree sits beside the crèche in the hallway, a slim pencil tree brightens the dining room, and I always set up a tree in my office—it doubles as my Christmas gift wrapping station! The kids each have tabletop trees in their bedrooms, and I even put a small ocean-blue tree in their bathroom to match the theme in there. It’s whimsical, cozy, and just makes our whole home feel alive with light.

And let’s not forget one of my favorite holiday setups—the hot cocoa bar! It’s a must in our house every season. The kids love it, and it’s always a hit with our guests. There’s just something about mugs lined up, marshmallows in little jars, and peppermint sticks ready to stir that makes the house feel instantly festive.

Now, I know my extended family isn’t thrilled about showing up for Thanksgiving dinner and seeing Christmas everywhere. I get it—it’s not everyone’s thing. But they also don’t live our immediate family’s insanely busy life. By the time Thanksgiving weekend arrives, we’re already running in a million directions. So, it sort of is what it is. I’d rather have the house ready and glowing than feel rushed or stressed later.

For me, decorating early isn’t about skipping ahead—it’s about savoring the season longer. It’s about creating warmth, light, and laughter in our home for as many weeks as possible.

So if you’re feeling that pull to start early—go ahead and plug in those lights. Play the Christmas playlist. Light the tree and let your heart rest in the glow.

Because the truth is, joy doesn’t need permission. The calendar doesn’t decide when we can celebrate hope and warmth and love. We do.

So from one mom to another—go ahead and decorate in November. Let your home sparkle, let your heart settle into the season, and let joy be your reason. 🎄✨

Tell me—when do you usually start decorating for Christmas? Are you Team Early Bird or Team Wait-Until-Thanksgiving? Drop your answer in the comments, and if you’re already decking the halls, share a photo of your tree! Let’s spread a little early-season cheer together. ❤️