When can I start decorating for Christmas 2025? These are the rules.

Hanover. Strings of lights, illuminated reindeer, plastic Santas climbing up the side of the house – terrible kitsch or a must during the Christmas season? When it comes to home decorations, opinions differ. While some are satisfied with a few Christmas accessories, others would prefer to cover the entire facade of their house.

As a general rule: Bad taste is not a crime, and so neighbors sometimes have to tolerate their fellow human beings' Christmas decorations – on the other hand, however, there are also some specific regulations when it comes to decorating windows, balconies or shared stairwells.

There's no official start date, of course. As everyone knows, the first gingerbread and Christmas treats appear on supermarket shelves as early as September – and for some, that might even trigger a few Christmas feelings in the middle of autumn. However, Christmas decorations are usually put up later.

Those who use the first Sunday of Advent as a guideline are on the safe side. This falls either on the last weekend in November or the first Sunday in December .

From then on, there are only three weeks until Christmas – plenty of time to feast your eyes on fairy lights, stars, and other colorful Christmas decorations. Incidentally, in the USA, festive decorating traditionally begins right after Thanksgiving, which is celebrated at the end of November.

For those who find the first Sunday of Advent too late, the liturgical year can serve as a guide. It's very important to note that November is marked by days of remembrance for the dead in both the Catholic and Protestant church calendars. Out of respect for the solemn occasion, Christmas decorations should not be put up before these days. The following days should be observed in November:

• All Saints' Day (November 1st)
• All Souls' Day (November 2nd)
• Remembrance Sunday (always falls on the last Sunday before the first Sunday of Advent)

These days also mark the end of the Christian liturgical year and thus the beginning of the Advent season.

Anyone who decorates their own home is, of course, free to do so as they see fit. This applies to putting up a Christmas tree, stringing lights in the window, or placing an Advent wreath on the front door, according to the German Tenants' Association in Berlin. Any clauses in the rental agreement that prohibit this are invalid.

The situation is different if tenants decorate the entire stairwell without permission – other residents can demand that the decorations be taken down, explains the Münster District Court. Furthermore, if the decorations become a tripping hazard, the tenants are liable for the resulting damages.

Other important things to consider when decorating:

• Keep escape and rescue routes clear.
• Please observe the house rules: These may state what, if anything, may be hung in the stairwell.
• Those who coordinate with their neighbors beforehand usually experience less stress from the outset.

If Christmas decorations are placed on the exterior of the building or are visible from the outside, neighbors certainly have a say. This applies particularly to flashing or bright lights. According to the Berlin Regional Court, if fairy lights and similar decorations are a nuisance, they must be switched off after 10 p.m. If the lighting significantly impacts the appearance of the entire building, the landlord can even intervene and object.

Furthermore, Christmas decorations attached to building facades or balconies should be securely fastened. Tenants are liable for damage or injuries caused by falling decorations. In the case of a rental agreement, the facade must remain undamaged during installation. Drilling into the exterior wall for string lights is not advisable.