Studies Reveal That People Who Decorate For Christmas Earlier Are Happier

According to research, those who are itching to put up the Christmas tree could also be trying to advance their socialization and closeness in relationships.

This story originally appeared at Do You Remember by Jane Kenny.

Psychologist Steve McKeown recently claimed that people who decorate for Christmas earlier are often happier. “In a world full of stress and anxiety people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood,” he says.

McKeown says that Christmas decorations typically evoke feelings of nostalgia and excitement, therefore, those people are apt to put up their Christmas decorations earlier. According to research, those who are itching to put up the Christmas tree could also be trying to advance their socialization and closeness in relationships.

Via Public Domain Pictures

A study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology revealed that there is a connection between decorating for Christmas and being more open to socialization with neighbors, family, and friends. It initiates a need for closeness and spending more time together. And, as all of us adults know now, Christmas sure does help implement a little bit of the old Christmastime magic we knew as kids and, maybe subconsciously, long for still.

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The Scrooges of the world are no match for those who light up at the sight of a newly lit Christmas tree or seeing houses down the street all lit up with colored lights. Turns out these seemingly unhappy ‘Scrooges’ who want to vomit at the sight of a candle in the window might actually be that unhappy. They might need a little extra Christmas spirit help from those nostalgic Christmas early birds.

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Psychotherapist Amy Morin also weighed in on McKeown’s insight with a bit more detail. She says, “The holiday season stirs up a sense of nostalgia. Nostalgia helps link people to their personal past and it helps people understand their identity,” she says, “Perhaps the holidays serve as a reminder of when a loved one was still alive. Or maybe looking at a Christmas tree reminds someone of what life was like when they still believed in Santa. For people who have lost a loved one, the holidays may serve as a reminder of happy times they had with that person in the past. Decorating early may help them feel more connected with that individual.”

Whoa.

So, remember Christmas lovers, never be afraid to wave your freak flag high. And get ready for the next holiday season! It’s coming up quickly.

Via Wikimedia Commons