If you're notoriously a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas time, maybe this weekend can persuade you to loosen up and get into the festive spirit, as it's the 'ideal' time to start preparing for the most wonderful time of the year. Despite pumpkins and sparklers dominating the coming weekends, October 22 is the optimum date to get into the holiday mood, according to experts.
Santa's Lapland, the festive family tour operator, has worked with expert psychoanalyst, practicing coach, and therapist Steve McKeown to determine that the '10 weekends to go' milestone helps families to avoid getting caught up in the stresses or pressures Christmas can bring.
As such, families are being encouraged to focus on mini-moments of Christmas joy more frequently as the big day approaches, rather than panicking nearer the time. The experts claim that starting now prevents procrastination, and minimises the release of cortisol, the stress hormone, that floods our brains if preparations are left to the last minute.
Also, they say scoffing it's 'too early' to start celebrating Christmas can be detrimental to mental health, as it creates feelings of cynicism - so maybe it's time to embrace the Christmas food and gifts which will be in store from now.
According to McKeown, bringing the festive feeling as far forward as October 22 allows parents to enjoy the process of preparing for Christmas, which can make the day even more special. It also allows children time to prepare through smaller, more joyful activities.
He said: "The brain's pleasure mechanisms can be activated by small festive acts and spending time with family, as this stimulates the release of 'good feel' chemicals such as endorphins and oxytocin, which give a sense of euphoria.
"Spending time together, and taking part in a whole host of unforgettable activities is the ultimate way for families to help boost festive serotonin, however, there is no reason why these benefits can’t start earlier in the year and closer to home too.
"We’ve found that this weekend is the optimum distance from Christmas to maximise mini-moments of joy and minimise the potential stresses. So from October 22, try to dust off the decorations, plan time to bake Christmas treats with your little ones, and strive to finish all present shopping before December in order to have the most magical big day possible come Christmas day."
Having said that, according to Slotbox.com searches for Christmas music rise between October 25 and October 31 when people are beginning to get excited for the festive season.
The searches then continue to soar, peaking from December 17 to 25 on average each year.
Unsurprisingly they then take a huge plummet from January 2, when the festivities come to a halt.
When will you start the Christmas festivities? Let us know in the comments.
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