There are two types of people during the holiday season. There are people that decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving, and those who refuse to decorate until after Turkey day.
This debate has been going on for years as some people claim that people who decorate early are “skipping” Thanksgiving. It has led to the ultimate holiday question, “Is it really too early to decorate for Christmas?”
As it turns out, psychologists confirmed that decorating can actually lift your mood. Psychologist Deborah Serani states that, “It does create that neurological shift that can produce happiness…” The feel-good hormone, dopamine, may actually spike while Christmas decorating. She also suggests that it might be due to color therapy which increases energy and boosts happiness. With bright lights and colors, how can you not smile at such a gleaming sight!
Research has even shown that people who decorate their houses with lights outside actually cue that the people inside are sociable.
So, there may be some things to consider before judging those that decorate early… You may want to decorate early now too!
Adapted from the Today Show’s “Go ahead and put up the Christmas lights now! Science says it will make you happier” by Rheana Murray
