The festive season offers an exciting opportunity to transform your home into a warm, welcoming space for each holiday.
Many homeowners—and first-time homeowners especially—wonder when it’s appropriate to begin decorating for each holiday. From fall leaves to menorahs and Christmas trees, timing your decorations helps you enjoy the spirit of the season while keeping your home looking seasonally appropriate.
Here’s your updated 2025 guide on when to decorate for each holiday, including Diwali, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas.
Purchase a home of your very own to decorate.When to decorate for fall (September)
Fall decor marks the beginning of the festive season. The best time to decorate for fall is early September, once the weather begins to cool and the leaves start to turn.
If you’re a seasonal enthusiast or using elaborate decorations, it’s perfectly acceptable to start as early as late August.
Keep in mind that outdoor decorations, such as real pumpkins or wreaths made with live foliage, may not last the full season in warmer climates.
Consider using reusable or transitional pieces that work through Halloween and into Thanksgiving.
Top fall decor ideas
- Autumn wreaths
- Rustic signs
- Faux pumpkins and gourds
- Cinnamon or apple-scented candles
When to decorate for Diwali (Oct. 18–23, 2025)
Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, spans Saturday, Oct. 18 through Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, with the main celebration (Lakshmi Puja) falling on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
It honors the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and it’s one of the most vibrant, light-filled festivals of the year.
Decorating for Diwali typically begins a few days before the festival kicks off. To enjoy your hard work longer, many families begin decorating by mid-October.
Popular Diwali decorations
- Diyas (oil lamps) and candles
- Rangoli patterns made from colored powders or flower petals
- Marigold garlands and torans
- String lights and lanterns
When to decorate for Halloween (Oct. 31)
Halloween is all about spooky, whimsical fun. In 2025, it falls on a Friday, which means more time to enjoy weekend festivities.
According to surveys and home decor experts, the best time to decorate for Halloween is between Oct. 1 and Oct. 15.
However, you can blend Halloween elements into your fall decor as early as late September, especially if you’re going all-out with props, lights, or haunted yard displays.
Top Halloween decor ideas
- Jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkins
- Spider webs, skeletons, tombstones
- Witch hats, ghosts, and goblins
- Black cats and themed lights
When to decorate for Thanksgiving (Nov. 27, 2025)
Thanksgiving is on Thursday, Nov. 27, in 2025. Decorations for this harvest-centered holiday typically go up right after Halloween and can last until the end of November.
Focus on creating a warm, inviting space centered around food and gratitude. Many fall decorations also serve as Thanksgiving decorations, but now is the time to add thematic accents.
Thanksgiving decorating tips
- Cornucopias and harvest-themed centerpieces
- Mini pumpkins and gourds
- Leaf garlands and pilgrim-themed items
- Cozy table settings and warm-toned linens
When to decorate for Hanukkah (Dec. 14-22, 2025)
Hanukkah 2025 begins on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14, and ends on Monday, Dec. 22.
Decorations often begin going up in early December, especially in homes that are also celebrating Christmas.
While Hanukkah decorations are generally more subdued, they bring warmth and light during the winter season.
Hanukkah decor ideas
- Menorah displays in windows
- Blue, white, and silver garlands or string lights
- Dreidel-themed accents
- Star of David decor and banners
When to decorate for Kwanzaa (Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026)
Kwanzaa starts the day after Christmas and continues through New Year’s Day. In 2025, it begins on Friday, Dec. 26, and ends on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Because it follows Christmas, many families begin incorporating Kwanzaa decor as they transition their homes after Dec. 25. Decorations can also be layered with holiday elements to reflect both celebrations.
Kwanzaa decorating essentials
- Kinara (candle holder with red, black, and green candles)
- Kente cloth table runners and banners
- Posters or signs displaying the Nguzo Saba (seven principles)
- Cultural symbols and handmade crafts
When to decorate for Christmas (Dec. 25)
Christmas is arguably the most elaborately decorated holiday. In 2025, it falls on a Thursday, and many families begin decorating right after Thanksgiving, around Nov. 28-30.
Still, the trend of earlier decorating continues to grow. Retailers often begin selling holiday items by September, and consumers follow suit.
It’s now common to see decorations go up as early as mid-November, especially for those hosting seasonal gatherings.
Christmas decor classics
- Christmas trees and ornaments
- Nativity scenes
- String lights, garlands, and wreaths
- Poinsettias, gingerbread figures, candy canes
- Santa Claus, reindeer, and snowmen
Final thoughts: When to decorate for each holiday in 2025
The key to deciding when to decorate for each holiday in 2025 is balance.
Decorating too early might reduce the magic, but waiting too long can limit enjoyment. Use your calendar, local weather, and family traditions to guide your timing.
If you’re thinking of upgrading your space or exploring homeownership ahead of the festive season, get started with GO Mortgage today.
You can also explore our blog for additional tips, homeowner insights, and more inspiration.
Celebrate each holiday in style, on time, and with heart.