When is too early to start decorating for Christmas? We all know someone who puts their Christmas decorations out the second Halloween is over. Christmas is a time for family, reflection, and celebration, and decorating for Christmas helps bring that festive atmosphere into your home.
Every family has their own traditions, even as Christmas stock starts to appear on the supermarket shelves early every year. There’s no ‘right’ time to start decorating for Christmas in the UK, but we’re sharing a general timeline of when most people will start shopping and decorating for the holidays.
At WeRChristmas, we make Christmas decorating easy as a one-stop shop for everything you’ll need from Christmas trees to pre-lit wreaths, with tracked delivery for every order for added peace of mind.
Early November: Start of Christmas Shopping
Once November 1st rolls around, Halloween is long forgotten. You can expect your local high street to put up its Christmas tree and for shops to start running their Christmas promotions.
November is a great time to start planning your Christmas décor and practical aspects of the holiday, like your Christmas Day dinner and your giftlist. Shopping early will give you access to the best stock and help you avoid any last-minute stress.
The rise of social media means more people are decorating earlier than ever before. While November may feel a bit early to set up your Christmas tree, it’s a good time to start bringing festive touches into your home décor and install a winter wreath. Start thinking about your decorating theme by exploring the top Christmas trends for 2025 and scrolling social media for inspiration.
Mid to Late November: Plan Your Christmas Decorating
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday started in the United States, these events have quickly gained popularity among UK shoppers. If you’re planning to make any large purchases for Christmas, this weekend is when you can expect to get the best deals.
Most public spaces, including schools and shops, will start decorating for Christmas. Late November is a great time to get your Christmas storage bags out of your attic to check your tree lights, ornaments, and any other decorations that might have gotten damaged over the last year.
Early December: Put Up Your Christmas Tree
Once December hits, the holiday season is in full swing. The first weekend in December is when most UK families choose to put up their Christmas tree. You can expect your social calendar to start filling up with Christmas parties, school nativities, and family functions. You might go to a Christmas market to get into the festive spirit or host a party at home for your friends and family.
Make sure to get as much done as possible in early December to avoid the stress of last-minute shopping and decorating. Don’t leave your gift shopping until the week of Christmas, and confirm your Christmas food shop in advance to stay ahead of the rush.
Christmas Week: The Finishing Touches
Christmas week is when you’ll put the finishing touches to your Christmas decorations. Some families wait until the week before Christmas to decorate their tree to avoid getting overwhelmed by the season. If you don’t decorate till mid-December, consider a pre-lit pop-up Christmas tree as a faster option, while still giving you the chance to decorate with your favourite ornaments.
Other last -minute Christmas decorations going up this week might include ‘Santa Stop Here!’ signs and fairy lights for an added touch of sparkle.
After Christmas: When Should You Take Christmas Decorations Down?
Blink and Christmas is already over – so when should you take down your Christmas tree? There’s a more concrete answer for this than when you should put up your tree. It’s customary to take your Christmas tree down by the Twelfth Night of Christmas, usually the 5th or 6th of January.
You might want to keep the rest of your Christmas decorations up longer, especially if they’re less focused on the holiday and work as winter décor as well. Every household is different, and you might want to take your Christmas decorations down on January 2nd to start the year afresh.
Start Early and Enjoy the Christmas Season Without the Stress
There’s no ‘right’ time to start decorating for Christmas in the UK. Every family has its own traditions, so while the timeline above serves as a helpful guide, you can decorate whenever it feels right for you.
Starting your Christmas planning early gives you more time to enjoy the holiday season without the stress of last-minute shopping or the rush to decorate. Get into the festive spirit and start preparing your home, making sure you have everything you need to create the perfect holiday atmosphere. Get into the festive spirit early by shopping our new arrivals for Christmas 2025 and following WeRChristmas on Instagram for more decorating tips and tricks.
