My best friends Christmas tree is lit up in her front room as of this past Saturday.
My girlfriend, Whitney, is putting hers up as I type these very words.
Today, on the way to the gym, I passed two places of business with Christmas trees already lit up inside.
WHAT IS GOING ON, AMERICA??
What have I missed? I’m starting to get that feeling I get when I pass by a bank and the flags are at half mast. I have to know why! I must know! Someone tell me! Who died? (Y’all know I have FOMO.) A couple of weeks ago I drove right up in to the drive-thru of a bank I do not even use, to ask them why their flags were at half mast. (I would now like to offer my sincere apologies to the family of Senator Diane Feinstein. I had not heard.)
But back to the tree thing…
Why do you think people are wanting to put up their Christmas decor earlier and earlier? I have a couple of theories, but I want to be polite and allow you the chance to speak first. So go ahead: your thoughts?
…..
You’re wrong. Not that your answers weren’t good, they were. But “it’s sweet” is not a legit answer so I won’t even spend time on it.
Here are the reasons I believe people are putting their Christmas trees earlier and earlier.
Reason #1: Escapism. If we go ahead and put up something that belongs in December, in October, then we feel like we are in December. And if we feel like we are in December, then we cannot feel like we are here, now. And not feeling like we are here, now, makes us feel much better than actually being here, now. Because being here, right now, hurts. The news hurts. And war hurts. And the economy hurts. And sickness hurts. Matthew Perry hurts. Addiction hurts. Maine hurts. And so we put up something that helps us escape the “here and now,” for the :there and then.” And who knows, maybe by December the world won’t be in such disarray and it won’t hurt to turn on the news or see babies pulled from rubble or children kidnapped from their beds. Maybe in December all the worlds governments will have sat down together for peace and turkey and long talks with pie and coffee.
I know, of course, these things won’t happen. But if I keep looking at the tree then I have escaped the now. Not to mention, you know what December is close to? January. And you know what January is? A fresh start. So the sooner my tree goes up, the more I feel like that fresh start - that do over - is coming.
So, yeah…I think trees are up because a lot of us want to escape. Trust me, I am not making fun. Personally, I’m not sure I can blame you.
Reason #2: Loneliness. If Christmas trees remind us of anything its these things: Christmas Day, presents, Burl Ives, It’s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown, baking, dinners, The Grinch, etc. And do you know what every single of one of those things have in common? People. People are in those movies and people are in those memories. People are in the baking and the cooking and the watching Jim Carrey. People are in the songs and the scenes and the sounds of kids on Christmas Day. And I reference all of that because I believe Christmas can be one of the loneliest seasons of the year for a lot of people. And so maybe - just maybe - we put the tree up sooner and sooner, because we experience loneliness sooner and sooner. Maybe what used to creep over us like a cloud around December 10th, now moves in November 3rd or October 28th.
I believe we are living in one of the loneliest times, ever. We have never been more “connected” and yet less connected than we are are, right now. And a tree with lights bring things into our minds that feel good to us, and make us feel less alone. It provides a type of euphoria that can’t hurt anyone or get us addicted to it. So who is it hurting? What does it matter?
It doesn’t. If your tree makes you happy - PUT IT UP, CHARLENE! PUT IT UP!
Truth be told, mine would already be up if the thought of getting it all out of the attic didn’t fill me with such dread. I hate the boxes and the storage and struggling to make fake branches look like real ones.
But you know what I love? I love being a little less sad and feeling a lot less lonely.
And if that is the only reason I am putting my tree up on November 3rd, then that would be enough. Heck, maybe those are the only reasons I need.
I love you,
Mel
P.S. When do you put your tree up? Email me or comment below…
My little 12" tree and a few decorations will go up a week before Christmas. I enjoy looking at others decorations but at my age it is something I don't miss. No little ones visiting or family so we stopped a few years ago. It took me awhile to realize that is OK too!
I love to put up the decorations the week before Thanksgiving. That way it’s all done before the holiday festivities begin and I can enjoy every little memory that comes with all of it for just a little bit longer. 😊🎄