Early Christmas Decorators in Montana Report More Joy

I have a friend here in Montana whose birthday falls just days before Halloween. While most people might ask for a fancy dinner or a weekend away, she asks for one thing every single year: to decorate for Christmas early. Her husband gives her that classic “you’ve lost your mind” look. She says that getting those lights up makes her feel better inside. And as strange as it may sound to anyone who still believes Christmas belongs strictly in December, science actually agrees with her.

Stop Waiting for Permission to Feel Joy

I get it. The leaves hadn’t even finished changing colors in 2023 when I dragged my Christmas bins out. My son hadn’t even decided on his Halloween costume yet and there I was with lights strung, stockings hung, and tree fully decorated by October 17. People thought I’d officially lost it. I got texts. I got photos sent with captions like “Too soon?” I even had friends threaten to stage an intervention. But that year had been heavy. Exhausting. Lonely. And by the time fall rolled around, I was done waiting for permission to feel joy.

For most of my life, I've waited until Black Friday to decorate. But I don’t play by those rules anymore. My husband and I don’t have family nearby, so the holidays are usually just our little unit anyway. That means there’s no one standing in my living room judging me if I decide October is basically December with crunchy leaves.

READ MORE: 12 Essentials Montanans Should Buy Now Before Winter Arrives

If We Celebrate Fall Early, Why Not Christmas Too?

Fall gets to start in September. Nobody bats an eye when pumpkins show up before school even starts. So why do we act like Christmas needs to wait outside until Thanksgiving packs up and leaves? Christmas isn’t just a date. It’s a feeling. It’s warmth, light, nostalgia, cinnamon, and hope rolled into one. And if something brings that much magic, why limit it to a measly 31 days?

Science Says Early Decorators Aren’t Eager, They’re Healthier

If you ever need to defend your early decorating habits to that one grumpy relative, try this line: “People who decorate early are scientifically proven to be happier, so take it up with psychology, not me.”

According to research highlighted by CORDIS, holiday decorations trigger dopamine, the brain’s natural happy chemical. The bright colors and warm lights act like visual therapy. Meanwhile, a report from Psychology Today explains that early decorators experience more nostalgia, which helps reduce feelings of loneliness and stress. The American Christmas Tree Association even found that nearly 80% of Americans report feeling more cheerful when they decorate sooner rather than later.

So no, early decorators aren’t rushing things. They’re protecting their mental health.

Montana Winters Make Early Cheer a Survival Tactic

Here in Montana, darkness comes early, snow doesn’t wait for December, and the long winter can wear even the strongest spirits down. That’s exactly why early decorating makes sense here more than anywhere else. When your home is glowing before the rest of the world catches up, it feels like you’ve built a little fortress against the cold. A flicker of light becomes a daily reminder that joy still exists, even if it’s frozen outside.

Your Official Permission to Start the Joy Now

So whether you’re like my friend making her annual pre-Halloween birthday request… or like me, illegally assembling a tree while there’s still fun size Snickers in the pantry… consider this your permission slip. The science supports it. Your sanity supports it. And frankly, life is too short to wait for a socially acceptable start date for happiness.

Don’t Rush the Season, Stretch the Joy

If decorating early makes you smile, do it. Don’t wait. Don’t apologize. Don’t dim your sparkle because someone else prefers to sit in the dark. You’re not rushing the season, you’re stretching out the joy.

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