American Christmas Tree Association says decorating early can boost holiday meaning

The American Christmas Tree Association is encouraging families to decorate sooner this year, saying early holiday decorating can help people reconnect with memories, strengthen relationships and reduce seasonal stress. Psychotherapist Amy Morin says the practice can support nostalgia, connection and community at a time when many Americans are looking for joy.

Why it matters: - Early decorating can turn a holiday chore into a tool for connection, especially as household budgets tighten and calendars fill up. - The American Christmas Tree Association says the practice can help families create more time for traditions that support joy during a stressful season. - Research cited by the group links nostalgia with stronger feelings of social connection and meaning in life.

What happened: - The American Christmas Tree Association highlighted how decorating before Thanksgiving can make Christmas feel more meaningful. - Psychotherapist and author Amy Morin said early decorating can help people reconnect with memories, relationships and traditions. - ACTA released the message alongside its 2026 Ipsos holiday study. - The study found 42% of Americans who display a Christmas tree set it up by Thanksgiving weekend.

The details: - Morin said Christmas decorations can bring people back to moments that matter, especially through ornaments, family photos and heirlooms passed down over time. - Morin said early decorating gives families more time to experience nostalgia, connection and joy. - Morin said people do not need to wait until they feel festive to start decorating. - Morin pointed to behavioral activation, a psychology concept that says taking action can help change mood. - She said small actions such as putting up a tree, playing Christmas music or hanging a favorite ornament can help create a holiday feeling. - ACTA executive director Jami Warner said many Americans are looking for moments of joy and connection after a stressful election season and a year of economic uncertainty. - Warner said Christmas can focus attention on family, traditions, memories and time with loved ones. - Warner said the Christmas tree often sits at the center of those experiences. - Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology suggests residential environments can affect social interaction and perceptions of community. - Morin said holiday decorations can prompt neighbors to connect, such as stopping by to admire lights or reaching out after seeing a tree in the window.

Between the lines: - The message is not really about an earlier date on the calendar. - ACTA is framing decorating as a practical way to create connection during a period of stress and uncertainty. - The association is also tapping into a broader trend: many households already start the season before Thanksgiving. - The psychology angle gives the holiday message a mental-health frame, not just a seasonal one.

What's next: - ACTA is encouraging families to decorate when it works best for them, whether before Thanksgiving or in December. - The group wants Americans to use holiday traditions to make time for meaningful connections and personal joy. - ACTA says consumers can find industry updates at ChristmasTreeAssociation.org and through its LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook channels.

The bottom line: - Early decorating is being pitched as more than festive timing. - ACTA says it can help families reconnect, strengthen community ties and get more out of the holiday season.