I put my Christmas decorations up on 6th November

Robyn Morris needs no encouragement to start feeling festive. 

In fact, the journalist from Kent started getting into the Christmas spirit in early November and put her tree up as soon as she could. 

Not just that, Robyn also made sure the ‘atmosphere was just right’. 

‘The Gavin and Stacey Christmas special was put on the TV, I had a ready supply of Twiglets on the table, and boxes of sparkly decorations surrounded me’, she tells Metro.co.uk. 

‘I also adorned the front door with a wreath, my bannisters with tinsel, decorated the walls and dotted nutcrackers around the house.’ 

Robyn started the tradition of putting up her tree early two years ago, during the pandemic

Robyn’s collection of Christmas cushions: With the cost-of-living crisis this year, she thinks getting into the Christmas spirit earlier is a great shortcut to joy at little expense

Even though Robyn’s birthday is at the end of the month, it’s Christmas she cares about more, admitting the holiday ‘is a present in itself’. 

And Robyn thinks other people should start embracing the holiday sooner. 

‘Christmas decorating can spike dopamine levels, a feel-good hormone – with experts claiming that people like to associate with things that make them happy, and for many, Christmas decorations evoke strong feelings of childhood and nostalgia.’ 

It’s something Robyn has experienced herself. She started putting up her tree early two years ago, during the pandemic. 

Robyn says closing her laptop at the end of a stressful day and seeing her red, gold and green decorations really cheers her up 

The festive fan said that she’s cutting back on Christmas outings this year, such as ice skating and markets, to enjoy festive cheer at home 

‘It brought some much-needed festive cheer during a time of turmoil, and I think the seed was planted then.’

With the cost-of-living crisis this year, Robyn thinks getting into the Christmas spirit earlier is a great shortcut to joy at little expense. 

‘Obviously, I am worried about the impact having my tree up so early will have on the electricity bill, given it’s covered in twinkly lights. 

Robyn does admit that her loved ones are baffled by her enthusiasm for getting the decorations up so early 

‘However, this is offset by the fact that we don’t need the main light or lamps on – we’re also lighting lots of festive-scented candles, and our electricity is on a metre so we can keep an eye on the cost.’ 

And Robyn says it’s a great trade off, considering she’s tightening her purse strings in other areas.  

‘The festive outings I usually love – like Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, ice skating and splurging at Christmas markets – won’t be happening as we’ve put a strict budget in place. 

‘In exchange, I think our festive home is a small price to pay for the happiness I feel walking downstairs to a winter wonderland every morning.’

Robyn is prioritising keeping the fairy lights on over using the main lights because she doesn’t want to run up her electricity bill 

Robyn says closing her laptop at the end of a stressful day and seeing her red, gold and green decorations catching the light is just the tonic. 

‘My favourite decoration is a little clip-on Robin attached to my tree, which I particularly love – especially as my name is Robyn!’

While Robyn’s partner is on board with her decking the halls so early, her mum and friends are bewildered. 

‘”Won’t you be sick of the sight of them by Christmas?” one friend asked. But the answer is absolutely not.

‘I always find taking them down in January a depressing task because my home always feels so bare without the Christmas decorations, so I’m just glad I’ll get to enjoy them for longer this year.’ 

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