"This approach was also popular in 2020, when people were desperate for a little cheer amid the COVID pandemic. One Ohio woman, who put up decorations the day after Halloween in 2020, told Cleveland.com, "There has been so much doom and gloom and so much stress and misinformation and absolute torture in 2020 that I said, 'My lights are going up, and they're going on,' because I need that. We all need that. I wanted to make myself happy and to maybe bring a bit of cheer and pretty lights to somebody else.""
"It makes sense that more people are trying to get into the holiday spirit earlier and earlier, said psychologist Melissa Robinson-Brown. "People are longing for happiness and joy," she told HuffPost. "Drop the judgment. If it makes you feel good, this is the year to do it," said Ryan Howes, a psychologist and author of the " Mental Health Journal for Men." "If starting your holiday season in August was your desire, go for it and feel no shame.""
Early holiday decorating can provide psychological benefits by extending uplifting sensory experiences like lights, scents and familiar decorations. Nostalgia triggered by decorations can revive warm memories and positive emotions, increasing feelings of comfort and well-being. Decorating early can function as an intentional mood-regulation strategy, offering a sense of control and predictable pleasure amid uncertainty. Removing judgment about timing allows individuals to prioritize personal emotional needs. During stressful periods, visible festive displays can spread cheer to others and create communal uplift, making early decorating a practical, accessible tool for supporting mental and emotional health.
Read at HuffPost
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