Decorating for Thanksgiving can improve our mood and take the edge off everyday stress. Psychologists are saying that it’s actually beneficial to embrace the holidays and focus on preparation and decor. Here are a few reasons why it’s a must to decorate for the holidays:

• It’s a great distraction from heavy things like viruses, politics, and family issues and helps you focus on the little things, like making your home a little bit more cozy and festive.
• Decorating gives you a sense of control over your surroundings. It’s a great opportunity to reclaim power and sprinkle holiday elements into your home.
• Looking forward to celebrations is a little fun, even for adults. Seasonal drinks, treats, and decorations undeniably make our days just a tad special.
• Familiar decorations can trigger nostalgic and happy memories, which help to cope with outside

If you’re a person who is itching to break out the fall decorations right at the end of summer, science has good news for you. A study in 2017 reported that people who decorate earlier are tapping into the excitement of the holidays before the rest of us, which automatically makes them happier. Anything that takes us out of our normal habituation can produce positive effects.

The major factor in creating holiday joy is color therapy. Bright hues and lights boost energy and happiness levels. Thanksgiving yellow, brown, and orange promote cheerfulness, optimism, warmth, and grounding.

Another factor is nostalgia. If you’re someone who has pleasant childhood memories of the holidays, then you might be tempted to recreate them sooner (by hanging a wreath or plugging in some fairy lights). Maybe the scent of pumpkin spice reminds you of a really fun family road trip with your relatives, or maybe you’re still holding onto your grandma’s favorite tablecloth. It’s comforting to bring out that decoration or trinket when trying to reminisce dear memories.

But when you do give in to the temptation to decorate early, do not feel embarrassed, as research has shown that people who decorate their homes for the holidays tend to appear friendlier to their neighbors. If you haven't yet introduced yourself to the next-door residents, decorating for the holidays is an easy way to appear more sociable. Participating in such a neighborly event is highly symbolic because when a home puts out pumpkins or skeletons on their porch, they’re taking part in a larger community celebration. Now go and hang those wreaths with pride; you’ll cheer up both your neighbors and yourself.

With all the beauty and coziness of autumn, it’s no surprise that some people start decorating at the end of September. Thankfully, fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving share the same color palette, making decorating for these events quite simple and sustainable. After the spooky knick-knacks come down, your home can now be more focused on the harvest, turkeys, and giving thanks.

If it’s your first time independently decorating or you’re visiting the US, traditional Thanksgiving decor usually revolves around pumpkins, wreaths, and centerpieces. Keeping with the harvest theme, it’s a good idea to feature mini gourds, faux fruits, flowers, and berry sprigs in your garlands and tablescapes. Turkey figurines are also classic Thanksgiving decor in many households and paired with greenery and candles, they add countryside charm. Also, staples like pumpkins, gourds, and wheat stalks add rustic elements to home decorations. If you’d like, using a generous amount of candles can create a welcoming and warm ambiance in your surroundings.

During the holiday season, it’s a good idea to think about how our cheer is affecting the environment. According to Stanford University's Waste Reduction, household waste increases by more than 25% from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Food, shopping bags, packaging, and ribbons end up generating 1 million tons of additional waste each week during that time frame.

We can still enjoy the magic of the holidays while considering more sustainable options. Holiday enthusiasts can choose natural, biodegradable decorations, such as cranberries, popcorn, live flowers, and greenery. It is also recommended to limit driving as much as possible during the holidays and visit more people on the same trip, as transportation is the biggest source of CO2 during this time. Additionally, spoiled products can be composted to reduce excessive food waste, and reusing glassware, dishware, tablecloths, and napkins can cut the amount of trash that ends up in landfills as well.

Preparing for the holidays can require a lot of work and stress, but it’s acceptable to start as early as you wish, and once it’s done, you’ll get to enjoy the rewards of your own accomplishments. For even more Thanksgiving-themed posts and inspiration, you can click here or here.