You expect retail centers to have their decorations up by now to spread holiday cheer for shoppers. But something different is happening this year.
[Ads /]
RELATED: Building a Better Bay Area: The New Way to Holiday
"When my family and my kids asked if we would put our tree up a week before Thanksgiving, I relented," said Claire Magat an executive at Balsam Hill in Redwood City. "It's hard to say no to bringing that joy into our homes a little bit after the year it's been."
Balsam Hill, a Peninsula company known for its pre-lit artificial trees, has seen sales spike 200 percent on some days compared to last year. Psychologists say after a year of pandemic stress, people need to lift their spirits.
"Putting up things that are colorful, things that smell good, things that kind of evoke nostalgia and good memory cause happiness in our brain kind of gives us a dopamine hit, which is really the feel good neurotransmitter," said Dr. Sarah Adler, a psychologist at Stanford Health Care.
VIDEO: Oakland Zoo's Glowfari lights up the nights this holiday season
Oakland Zoo's Glowfari lights up the nights this holiday season
The tree lot operated by Kiwanis International San Jose at Cambrian Park Plaza doesn't open until Friday, but they've already sold six trees even as they're unloading them and setting up.
[Ads /]
"Some people are celebrating with a few of their family members for now, so they'll not be with them for Christmas, so they're wanting to celebrate now," said Susan Bates with Kiwanis San Jose.
The Kiwanis lot is expecting to sell about 1,500 trees this year. Balsam Hill expects a possible shortage of some of its popular trees right after Thanksgiving.
"Inventory will likely be limited given this demand is unprecedented," said Claire Magat. "We did not anticipate this going in to this year. We place our orders in this industry up to a year in advance."
This has been a challenging year for kids, too.
"Kiddos look to us to kind of decide what they feel and think," said Stanford Health Care's Dr. Adler, "so if we're creating positive traditions, and we're actually creating joy through early decoration, I think our kids benefit, too."
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
- Map: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules
- COVID-19 risk calculator: The safest and most dangerous things to do this holiday season
- Updated number of COVID-19 deaths, cases in Bay Area
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- California EDD: The most commonly asked questions we get about unemployment and PUA
- Health experts urge flu shots in effort to avoid 'twindemic'
- How to tell the difference between seasonal allergies and coronavirus symptoms
- Here's which mask is better to protect from COVID-19
- First COVID-19 vaccine volunteers in US describe experience as Bay Area launches vaccine trials
- From salons to dinner parties: Experts rate the risk of 12 activities
- Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic