December 11, 2025, 12:02 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The Christmas tree is one of the strongest symbols of the holiday season—yet the timing of when it is decorated varies significantly from family to family. While some put up the lights as early as Advent, others traditionally wait until December 24. Why is that? A look at historical roots, religious significance, and societal developments shows how deeply embedded this custom is in culture.
In recent years, the trend has increasingly shifted toward setting up the Christmas tree earlier and enjoying its sight before the holidays. According to a survey by Statista, over 50 percent of respondents set up their tree by early or mid-December. Twelve percent only set up their tree on Christmas Eve. myHOMEBOOK explains why many people set up and decorate their tree relatively late.
Historical Roots
In earlier centuries, the Christmas tree was not seen as a permanent decoration but as a singular, festive highlight—a moment meant to reveal its magic only on Christmas Eve. This was about the tree itself; green decorations like branches have been around longer. The tree was often brought into the room shortly before the gift-giving and decorated in silence. This was not only for practical reasons, like keeping the tree fresh longer, but also for the element of surprise: Children were meant to enter the living room and suddenly find a radiant Christmas tree.
This “invitation” into the festively lit room was one of the most memorable moments of Christmas Eve. Parents or heads of households decorated the tree secretly, sometimes for hours, while the children waited impatiently. Only when a bell rang did the door open—and with the sight of the decorated tree, Christmas began for many.
This tradition of consciously staging the surprise shaped entire generations and explains why decorating the tree was historically so closely tied to December 24.
Religious Significance
From a church perspective, the actual festive season does not begin with Advent but only at Christmas itself. The weeks leading up to the holiday were originally a time of reflection and preparation—in many regions, even a kind of fasting period. Festive elements like lavish decorations or a glowing tree traditionally did not fit into this phase of introspection.
The Christmas tree was also considered a symbol of new life and hope, and was therefore only set up at the moment when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many families consciously embraced this symbolism: The tree was not meant to simply adorn the home earlier, but to appear precisely when the Christmas joy begins—on December 24.
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Modern Reasons–Mostly Practical
Even today, many consciously choose to decorate the tree only on December 24—albeit for entirely different but equally understandable reasons. December is one of the busiest times of the year for many people. Families only come together on Christmas Eve, when peace sets in, allowing for joint decorating. For some, this moment has even become more important than before: a rare shared ritual that one does not want to scatter into everyday life.
Additionally, there is the desire to keep the tree as fresh as possible. Many households heat more than before, causing trees to dry out faster. Those who want to enjoy the tree into the new year, therefore, consciously set it up later. For others, the longing for tradition plays a role. In a world of constant change, a consciously maintained ritual acts as an anchor point that conveys stability.
A Custom in Transition
Of course, the handling of the Christmas tree has changed. Many people decorate as early as the beginning of December, influenced by social media, international Christmas culture, or their own anticipation. Shopping centers and public spaces have long set festive signals early, which can reinforce the impression that Christmas extends over weeks.
Yet December 24 remains a special moment—and for many, the only one where the magic of the tree can truly unfold. It is the transition from expectant preparation to the actual celebration. The moment when peace sets in and the holiday becomes visible.