When to Start Decorating for Christmas (Plus a Planning Timeline)

It's the question that sparks friendly debates in households across the country: when is it okay to start decorating for Christmas? Some families pull out the tree the morning after Halloween. Others wouldn't dream of it until the Thanksgiving dishes are done. And a few hardy souls wait until December.

The honest answer? There's no wrong time. But there is a smart way to plan, so you're not untangling lights in the cold or finding out your tree won't fit on December 15. Here's how to decide when to start, plus a simple timeline to keep the season merry instead of hectic.

The Most Popular Times to Start

Most people fall into one of these camps.

• The November 1 crew. Halloween comes down, Christmas goes up. These folks love a long season and want to get their money's worth out of every twinkle light.
• The Thanksgiving weekend tradition. For many families, the long weekend after Thanksgiving is the official kickoff. Everyone is home, there's time to haul boxes, and it feels like a natural start.
• The early December decorators. Some people prefer to keep November for fall, then go all in once December arrives.
• The split approach. Plenty of homeowners put up outdoor decorations early, while the weather is mild, but don't turn them on until later. Indoor decor follows when they're ready.

Whichever camp you're in, the key is to start planning well before you start decorating.

Your Christmas Decorating Timeline

September: Dream and Measure

Yes, September. This is the easiest time to get organized, because nothing is urgent yet.

1. Pull out last year's decorations and test your lights.
2. Make a list of anything broken, worn out or missing.
3. Measure the spot where your tree goes, including ceiling height. Leave room at the top for a tree topper.
4. Walk your yard and note where outdoor outlets are and where displays will go.
5. Start a wish list. Think about what you want to add this year, whether that's a new tree, a showstopper inflatable or a better entryway.

October: Order the Big Stuff

October is prime time to order larger items. Trees, big inflatables and lighted yard displays are the pieces you'll want in hand early, so you have time to unbox, test and plan.

Shopping for a tree? Match the style to your space:

• For a classic, cozy look, the 7 ft Pre-Lit Christmas Tree with 400 Warm White LEDs has 941 PE and PVC tips and a rustic wooden base.
• For a smaller room, the 7 ft Pre-Lit Snow Flocked Pencil Christmas Tree has a slim pencil shape, 1,100 snow-flocked tips and hinged branches.
• If you love gadgets, the Pre-Lit Hinged Christmas Tree with App-Controlled LED Lights comes in 7 or 8 ft, with 540 or 670 LEDs in 8 independent layers.
• For something bold, the 6 ft Rainbow Spiral Christmas Tree is one of our hot sellers, with 1,248 PVC tips, hinged branches and a foldable metal stand.

The Cozy Cabin Tree You'll Keep for Years

7 ft Pre-Lit Christmas Tree with 400 Warm White LEDs and Wooden Base

$176.99MSRP $284.20

Big Holiday Magic for Small Spaces

7 ft Pre-Lit Snow Flocked Pencil Christmas Tree with 400 Lights

$146.99MSRP $236.66

Light Your Tree From the Couch

Pre-Lit Hinged Christmas Tree with App-Controlled LED Lights, 7 or 8 ft

From $235.99MSRP $493.98

Every Color of Christmas in One Tree

6 ft Rainbow Spiral Christmas Tree with 1,248 Tips

$119.99MSRP $193.06

Early November: Set Up Outside

Once Halloween is packed away, early November is a great time to tackle outdoor decorations. The weather is usually friendlier than it will be in December, and ladders are a lot less fun on icy ground.

This is the moment for your yard's big stars. Our 11.5 ft Inflatable Christmas Train brings Santa, a snowman and a penguin along for the ride, with 7 built-in LED lights, and it includes ropes and ground stakes. The 9 ft Inflatable Gingerbread Shop with Santa has colorful string lights plus built-in LED bulbs. Both are hot sellers.

Prefer a classic lighted display? The 6 ft Lighted Reindeer and Santa's Sleigh glows with 215 warm white LEDs, and the 3.5 ft Lighted North Pole Mailbox with Dog gives kids a perfect spot to "mail" their letters to Santa.

All Aboard the North Pole Express

11.5 ft Inflatable Christmas Train with Santa, Snowman and Penguin

$99.99MSRP $151.98

The Sweetest Shop on Your Street Just Opened

9 ft Inflatable Gingerbread Shop with Santa, LED Lit

$117.99MSRP $188.56

Santa's Sleigh Is Parked in Your Yard

6 ft Lighted Reindeer and Santa's Sleigh with 215 Warm White LEDs

$148.99MSRP $227.98

Special Delivery: Letters to Santa Go Here

3.5 ft Lighted North Pole Mailbox with Dog, 120 LEDs

$111.99MSRP $170.98

Not ready to flip the switch? Set up now and put everything on an outdoor-rated timer. Start the timer whenever your household says it's officially Christmas.

Mid to Late November: Deck the Entry

The front door is a great next step, and it's the first thing guests see when they arrive for Thanksgiving.

• The 4-Piece Pre-Lit Wreath, Garland and Entrance Tree Set includes a 24 in wreath, a 9 ft garland and 2 entrance trees, with 200 warm LED lights and a 6-hour timer. It's battery powered (batteries not included), so no outlet is needed by the door.
• Want to go big? The 60 in Pre-Lit Christmas Wreath has 220 warm white lights and includes DIY ornaments.
• The 50 ft Smart RGB Outdoor Eave Lights offer app control with schedules, 75 scene modes and music sync. Their tagline says it best: from pumpkin orange to candy cane red in one tap, so they can carry you from Halloween right into Christmas.

Deck the Whole Entryway in One Box

4-Piece Pre-Lit Wreath, 9 ft Garland and Entrance Tree Set

$117.99MSRP $180.48

Go Big on the Front Door This Year

60 in Pre-Lit Christmas Wreath with 220 Warm White Lights and Ornaments

$106.99MSRP $171.78

From Pumpkin Orange to Candy Cane Red in One Tap

50 ft Smart RGB Outdoor Eave Lights with App, Remote and 30 LEDs

$39.99

Thanksgiving Weekend: The Tree Goes Up

If you ordered in October, your tree is already home and waiting. Put on some music, fluff the branches and make it an event. Then add the finishing touches around the house, like a sparkly garland along the stairs. The 33 ft Gold and White Tinsel Garland has a bendable wire core and can be cut to fit.

December: Enjoy It

By December, your only job is to enjoy the glow. Check your outdoor displays after storms, keep an eye on cords and connections, and soak it all in.

Why Ordering Early Makes Sense

Holiday shopping gets busier the closer you get to Christmas. Ordering early gives you some big advantages:

• Better selection. You get first pick of the styles and sizes you want.
• Time to test. Unbox everything, check that it works and plan where it goes.
• Room for changes. If something isn't quite right, you have time to swap it before the big day.
• Less stress. No refreshing tracking pages on December 20.

Our orders ship from US warehouses and usually arrive in 5-10 business days. Shipping is free on orders over $99 in the lower 48, and returns are accepted within 30 days. You'll find the full details on our shipping page.

A Few Safety Reminders

1. Use outdoor-rated extension cords and outlets for outdoor decorations.
2. Inspect light strings and cords before use, and replace anything damaged.
3. Anchor inflatables and yard displays with the stakes and ropes they come with. Our guide on how to secure inflatables in wind has more tips.
4. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for every item.

Start Planning Your Christmas Now

Whether you're a November 1 decorator or a Thanksgiving weekend traditionalist, a little planning now makes the season so much merrier. Our big Christmas celebration kicks off November 1, but you can explore the Christmas collection anytime to start your wish list, and peek at our hot sellers to see what's popular. Until then, enjoy Halloween. We won't tell anyone you're already thinking about tinsel.