People who put up Christmas decorations early are kinder, sociable: Study
The study had it's participants view a series of house, some decorated and some not.
If you are one of those people who just can't wait for Christmas and get into the holiday spirit in November, then science says you may be more sociable, friendly, and approachable.
According to a study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology a house adorned with decorations shows people that you are more 'accessible'.
The study had it's participants view a series of house, some decorated and some not.
The houses were of different types covering a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Participants observed that the houses which were decorated made the owners seem "friendly and cohesive", which shows that putting up Christmas decorations make a person look sociable and kind.
The study observed that this may be because everyone makes a strong association between festivals and their childhood.
Festivities make one nostalgic, and remind people of celebrations in the past with family and loved ones.
Psychoanalyst and founder of MindFixers, Steve McKeown told UNILAD, "Decorations are simply an anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. So putting up those Christmas decorations early extend[s] the excitement!"
He added that those who put up decorations early are just eager to relive the magic of the past. Although if one breaks out the decoration as early as November they must be overcompensating for past festive failures.
"In a world full of stress and anxiety people like to associate [with] things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of the childhood," he said.
Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and best-selling author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, said to UNILAD, "Perhaps the holidays serve as a reminder of when a loved one was still alive. 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."
She also added that early decorations may help people feel more connected to their deceased loved ones.
However, if busting out the baubles a little early helps people cope and appear kinder, why the hell not?