Gaby
It’s no surprise that people start preparing for the winter holidays well in advance. Supermarkets begin to infect us with the Christmas and New Year spirit as early as September and October.
It’s clear why stores do this: these weeks of the year are the most profitable for retail. But what drives people to worry about holiday decorations, ornaments, costumes, color-coordinated outfits, and gifts so early?
Here are some theories
The first and foremost reason is that all this preparatory hustle and bustle significantly boosts our mood. The anticipation of fun is, in itself, a form of enjoyment.
Researchers suggest that there’s a certain type of person who is particularly tempted by the early Christmas spirit. If you belong to this category, here’s what it means.
Renowned American psychologist Carmen Harra claims that decorating one’s home for the winter holidays reveals “hidden emotions and subconscious behavioral tendencies,” including narcissism.
“Narcissists derive immense satisfaction from being the center of attention, receiving praise and applause. It makes perfect sense that these personality traits can easily be expressed by transforming one’s home into a winter wonderland that all the neighbors will admire,” the expert explained.
However, she believes this isn’t the only reason. By immersing themselves in preparations for Christmas and New Year, individuals fill a certain void. As Ms. Harra noted, buying shiny ornaments or gifts, decorating the home, and choosing festive attire can make one feel happier, “show off,” and even create the image of an ideal family.
Behind the twinkling lights and tinsel in November, one can hide arguments, disagreements, and ultimately, the truth about what has been happening in the home throughout the year, she added.
Emily Morin, a psychotherapist from Florida, is less critical of those who love to prepare for the winter festivities early. She believes this behavior can primarily be explained by the nostalgia that decorating for Christmas evokes. Thus, particularly sentimental individuals rush to recreate pleasant moments from the past, such as those magical childhood times.
“People want to start decorating their homes early because the sooner they bring out the decorations, the quicker they can feel a piece of that magic again,” Ms. Morin said. In other words, it’s a great opportunity to stretch out happy memories of the most positive things in life, as reported by the Daily Mail.
But that’s not all
Meanwhile, Professor Erlanger A. Turner, a clinical psychologist at Pepperdine University, argues that early home decorating is linked to the theory of “anticipation of joy.” “By decorating their homes in advance, people are anticipating the excitement and happiness associated with the upcoming holidays,” the professor said. He believes that during times of climate crisis, aggression, depression, and uncertainty, more people will lean towards early preparations for Christmas. After all, it’s “the only thing they can control.”
Researchers also believe that Christmas decorations on the doors and inside homes make residents more sociable. Therefore, those who have already created a festive spirit within their walls are likely seeking warmer relationships.
