As the festive season approaches, a perennial debate resurfaces: when is the right time to put up the Christmas tree? For some, the answer is as early as October, while others insist on waiting until late December.
One writer describes putting up their tree on 31 October, immediately after Halloween, with Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé playing. They argue that November is a neglected month and that early decorating extends the enjoyment of the season. They dismiss critics as 'Grinches' or 'Scrooges'.
In contrast, another writer prefers to wait until around 20 December, believing that the tree should be the culmination of other Christmas preparations. They recall a childhood tradition of putting up the tree on Christmas Eve and now compromise with their children around the 15th to 18th.
Historical traditions offer little guidance. Some point to the first Sunday of Advent (3 December in 2023) as appropriate, while others note medieval plays used 'paradise' trees on Christmas Eve. The debate continues, with personal preference often winning out.
