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Hand putting ornament on tree
Hand putting ornament on tree
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WVU | Culture

ARE YOU READY “FOR” IT?

Delaney Nuckles Student Contributor, West Virginia University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at WVU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

‘Tis the season for trees! If you celebrate Christmas, you likely decorate on your own schedule. For many, November 1st is automatically “Christmas mode.” With this date being the first of the month and directly after Halloween, decorators get two full months of immersion within the holiday season. Others may wait until the month of December begins, holding out for Thanksgiving. In all, the attitude that Christmas is a season rather than a holiday inspires the idea to decorate for the holiday sooner rather than later. 

When does Christmas Start?

In college, students may wrap up their first semester work within the first two weeks of December. Now that we’re already in November, when is the right time to put up a tree in college? No one wants to exhaust Christmas, but being able to enjoy the decorations for a limited time prompts putting up decorations immediately. For me, correlating a time to put up a Christmas tree is a struggle on its own. With conflicting schedules and finals approaching, it’s easy to get so busy in November that decorating is forgotten. Without wanting a giant tree box consuming space, pressure to put up the tree builds. So, is there a right time?

Year-Round Trees

If you can’t justify the hassle of a tree for a few weeks, leave a tree up year-round! With this idea, you can decorate the tree for different seasons or holidays. This idea has become much more widespread. It eliminates the hassle of having to store the tree or deconstruct it after December. It always feels less bittersweet when Christmas is over, as you’re only redecorating the tree rather than putting it away for months. If you have the space, or like the idea, get creative and put your tree to use!

Compromising

Maybe you don’t have a large or traditionally sized tree, and that’s ok. Luckily, Christmas trees come in all colors and sizes. Think about putting up a small tree in your room. Especially in college, you can maximize your enjoyment by being able to decorate a tree to your liking. In addition, this is a cheaper, hassle-free option if you go for a smaller size. 

Living Trees

Live Christmas trees are extremely festive but also more of a lost tradition. Picking out a tree, hauling it home, and having to deal with allergies or a constant mess isn’t always pleasing. Despite this, if you like supporting tree farms and the look of a real tree, by all means, this is a great option. There are pros and cons to this choice. But look no further—if you want a real, traditional festive feel, purchasing a live Christmas tree is a jolly choice. 

Setting up a Christmas tree doesn’t have to be a meticulously planned-out idea, but it’s good to weigh different options. Purchasing a tree, unboxing it, setting it up, and finding a place for it to stay can be a lot, especially with demanding schedules (or destructive pets). Don’t let the holiday season stress you out. Remember to operate on a timeline that works for you. Have a fantastic season!

Delaney Nuckles

WVU '29

Hello! My name is Delaney, and I am a WV native from Charleston. Currently, I’m studying Public Health at West Virginia University. As someone who has always leaned more toward the humanities and liberal arts, my major satisfies both my passion for reading and writing and my interest in healthcare. Outside of school, my hobbies consist of making and drinking coffee, walking, journaling, and traveling to new places!