Experts share the exact date you should put up your Christmas tree

FESTIVE FEELS: There is no right or wrong time to start the festivities (Photo by Getty)

TV personality Stacey Solomon recently divided the internet after sharing pictures of putting up her Christmas tree six weeks early.

Many felt it was way too early, whereas some said, the end of Halloween signals the beginning of Christmas festivities. As Christmas adverts flood our screens and supermarkets get rammed full of gifts and decorations, many of us wonder, is it too early to put our tree up?

Traditionally, the Christmas tree went up on December 22 and marked the start of the advent festivities with wrapped gifts stashed under it and kept secure until the big day. Although, it varies from family to family.

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But in recent years, the last weekend of November has become an increasingly popular time to put the Christmas tree up. Some cities are decking the halls already with London’s Oxford Street lights going up on November 2.

Why do we have Christmas trees?
The experts at Christmas Tree World said: “Bringing trees into the home dates as far back as the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Both civilisations would have mid-winter celebrations and festivals which fall on the 21st of December.

“Whilst the Christmas tree was originally a non-religious symbol of celebration, the tradition of bringing an evergreen tree into the home and decorating is related to Christian Germany. It is recorded that the first known Christmas tree was brought inside and decorated as a celebration of religion in England during the 16th century by a man called Martin Luther.

“According to history, he saw the stars through the trees and it reminded him of Jesus. He later wrote a sermon about the experience for his church, which led to the spread of people decorating the trees with candles (now replaced with fairy lights) as a symbol of letting Jesus into their homes.

“Today, Christmas is commonly celebrated by many across the UK by putting up a tree at home and celebrating it as a holiday. But for many, the meaning of Christmas remains the celebration of the birth of Jesus, while a Christmas tree represents Jesus and the light he brings to the world.”

When should I put up my Christmas tree?
Advent typically starts four Sundays before Christmas day, making Sunday – November 27 the perfect date for Brits to set up their tree this year, the experts at Christmas Tree World explain. For real trees, experts recommend putting them up at the start of December.

If properly cared for, real Christmas trees can survive up to four weeks, according to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association.

Is it bad luck to put up your Christmas tree early?
Traditionally the tree is supposed to be put up at the start of Advent. Other customs specify setting up the tree 12 days before Christmas.

Some believe that putting up a Christmas tree before December brings bad luck. So, if you are a stickler for tradition, December 1 is the ideal day for you because it represents the start of the holiday season and marks the official countdown to Christmas.

Real vs Fake
Aside from the trouble of knowing when exactly to put your tree up, it can also be hard to pick the perfect tree to fit your festive scenes at Christmas. Among scores of options, some opt for real Norwegian spruce while others choose fake plastic trees that are easily stored and then dug out from the attic.

A cheaper alternative to the real thing (in most cases) an artificial tree will see you through many festive seasons. Over time, investing in a good artificial tree will also have a positive impact on the environment, reducing the volume of discarded trees that end up in the landfill.

Alternative Christmas trees – those made from eco-friendly materials such as wood, twigs, paper mache or wool – have also come into their own in recent years. Whereas, some households are ditching trees altogether, and instead choosing to decorate a houseplant as a Christmas tree.

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