When To Put Up Your Christmas Tree

There's always that moment in late November when you start eyeing the Christmas decorations box in the garage. Should you pull it out now or wait a bit longer? Some people are adamant about sticking to December 1st, while others have their tree up the day after Halloween finishes.

But here’s the deal: there's no single right answer for when to put up your Christmas tree in Australia. Traditional dates exist, but they're shifting as more people embrace earlier decorating. Here's what you need to know about Christmas tree timing, traditions and how to decide what works best for your home.

Traditional Christmas tree dates in Australia

Late November, early December? When do Australians put their Christmas tree up? Here are the most traditional dates for getting out the tree.

The first Sunday of Advent

Historically, Christmas trees went up at specific times based on religious and cultural traditions. Interior Designer Rachel Blindauer explains the traditional approach: “Families waited until December 1st or the first Sunday of Advent to put theirs up.”

Jolly Festive Founder and Christmas Trend Specialist Hannah Bartlett adds more context: “It would be after the start of Advent, i.e. from the 4th Sunday before Christmas. This year (2025), that would mean from Sunday 30th November.”

December 1

For Australians, December 1st has always been the most common traditional date. It’s the start of summer and the festive season, so it just makes sense.

When Australians actually put up their Christmas trees

Traditional dates are one thing, but what we actually do tells a different story. Hannah has noticed significant changes during her time in the Christmas industry.

“During my six seasons working in the Christmas industry, I've noticed a real shift forwards when it comes to putting up decorations,” she says.

Why? Hannah thinks it has something to do with how the world has changed in the last decade or so: “There was a mindset shift during COVID when people were looking for ways to brighten the lockdown days.”

She adds: “The effects of social media (and influencers promoting décor earlier) has [also] had an impact. Plus, with more people decorating for Halloween, we want something to replace the decor with once 31st October is done.”

All that said, families have always had their own variations. Some will put their tree up on a mid-week night where they have a spare moment, and others will wait until work and school wrap up in mid-late December.

What’s the actual best time to put up a Christmas tree?

As we mentioned, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to putting up your tree. But it’s safe to say that late November to early December is a bit of a sweet spot.

Hannah sees practical benefits, calling it “a lovely time to get the tree up so it acts as a backdrop for all the December festivities and leaves those countdown weekends clear for fun activities with family and friends rather than a mad panic.”

This timing also works well for Advent calendars and other countdown traditions that start on December 1st. Everything kicks off together, creating a more ‘official’ start to the festive season.

Preparing your space for the Christmas tree

Beyond timing, you need to think about where your tree will actually go and how it'll fit with your existing furniture. This also affects when you put it up — there's no point choosing a date if you won't have time that weekend to properly rearrange the room and set everything up.

Rachel brings an interior designer's perspective on physically integrating a tree into your home rather than just plonking it in the nearest corner.

Clear and rearrange your furniture

Rachel suggests preparing the space thoughtfully: “Clear and edit the room before the tree arrives. Shift a side chair, reimagine a reading nook or pare back tabletop decor so the tree feels like part of the architecture rather than an intrusion.”

This might mean rearranging your existing living room furniture to create a natural spot for the tree, or adding a side table nearby for displaying wrapped gifts or festive decorations.

Add complementary lighting

Rachel's lighting advice is particularly useful: “Lighting is key: dimmable lamps and candlelight help the tree integrate with the mood of the space.”

The tree lights alone can feel a bit stark without other lighting to balance them out. Consider adding table lamps or floor lamps around the room to create ambient lighting that complements rather than competes with your tree.

Think beyond the visual

Rachel recommends engaging all the senses: “The five-senses approach I often recommend is: the sight of a glowing tree, the smell of pine or subtle seasonal candles, the sound of curated holiday playlists, the touch of layered textiles and the taste of shared meals. These elements together transform a decorated tree into a full, lived experience.”

Browse our decor collection for pieces that can help create the perfect backdrop for your Christmas tree this season.

Finding your own Christmas tree timing

The best time to put up your Christmas tree in Australia is whenever works for your household. Some families love the anticipation of waiting until December, while others want to maximise their time enjoying the decorations. Both approaches are valid.

Ready to decorate? Browse our Christmas range for everything you need to make your tree and home feel festive this season, from decorations to furniture that creates the perfect backdrop for your celebrations.

When to put up your Christmas tree FAQs

Why do some people put up their Christmas tree on December 1?

December 1st marks the start of those Advent calendar countdowns, so it's a natural time to kick off the whole festive season. You also get the full month of December to enjoy your tree before Christmas actually arrives. It feels late enough to be properly seasonal but early enough to get your money's worth from the decorations.

When do Australians usually decorate their tree?

Most people seem to do it during the first weekend of December or on December 1st itself these days. That said, plenty of families are decorating earlier now — late November is becoming pretty common, especially if you've got an artificial tree that doesn't need as much maintenance.

Can you put your Christmas tree up too early?

Not really. If you want your tree up in November and it makes you happy, go for it. The only practical thing to consider is that real trees need more looking after if they're up for ages, while artificial ones can sit there from October through to January if that's your thing. There's no Christmas police coming to tell you off for early decorating.

How long do you leave a Christmas tree up after Christmas?

Traditionally, it's until January 6th (Epiphany), but heaps of people take them down between New Year's and the first week of January now. For real trees, take them down when they start looking dry and sad. For artificial trees, whenever they stop feeling festive and start feeling like clutter, which is usually sometime in that first or second week of January.