Most families in the U.S. decorate for Christmas. But how and when Catholics decorate isn't always the same as the rest of the population. 

For Catholics, the celebrations begin with the birth of our Lord on Christmas Day — they don't end. This is a marked difference from the general holiday season celebrated in the U.S., which kicks off on the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs through New Year's Day. 

Read on to learn how Catholic beliefs shape how and when we decorate for Christmas. 

4 Questions About Catholic Christmas Decorations

#1 - When Do Catholics Decorate for Christmas?

The Catholic faith teaches that Advent is the season of reflection and preparation. It's not until the birth of our Lord that the celebrations truly begin! You can see this mindset reflected in how Catholic churches decorate in the weeks before Christmas. 

Instead of decked-out trees and wall-to-wall decorations, you may just find traditional Advent wreaths, purple cloths or white lights and or greenery until the afternoon of Christmas Eve. 

In Catholic homes, the timing of Christmas decorations depends on the family and local customs. Some families wait until Christmas Eve, while others may start decorating right after Thanksgiving. One popular day for decorating is the Sunday before Christmas. But no matter when the decorations go up, Catholics always find a way to make Christmas Eve extra special. So, they may wait to place their favorite ornaments, turn on the Christmas tree lights until it's truly time to rejoice in our Savior's birth. 

#2 - What Are Common Catholic Christmas Decorations?

The types of decorations found in Catholic homes aren't necessarily unique. Perhaps what's striking is the deep meaning associated with the decorations. For example, even the colors of Christmas have significance in the Catholic faith — red symbolizes the blood of Christ while green is the color of new life and hope. Here are some decorations you can expect to find in Catholic homes: 

Nativity Scenes

It's hard to visit a Catholic house on Christmas without seeing at least one nativity scene. 

Nativity sets allow Catholics to set the scene of Jesus' birth. The basic nativity set includes figures of the Holy family, a stable, and a manger,  but others also have shepherds, the magi and the angel of the Lord.

Usually, there's a nativity set in a place of honor in the house. If there are kiddos in the house, they likely have their own set they can play with (and not break) — something like this plush nativity set. In addition, some Catholics share their Christmas joy by decorating their lawns with sizeable outdoor nativity scenes. 

While families may put out the nativity set at different times during Advent, the manger is usually left empty until it is filled with baby Jesus on Christmas Day. 

Christmas Tree

The evergreen Christmas tree is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday season. Because evergreen trees don't lose their leaves in colder weather, they symbolize the eternal life believers receive because of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection.

Christmas Candles

Candles are present in nearly every Catholic celebration,  and Christmas is no exemption. The candles we burn at this time of year celebrate Jesus, the light of the world. We especially like these gold, frankincense and myrrh candles that commemorate the gifts of the Magi. 

Christmas Lights

Jesus is the light of the world. So to celebrate this, Catholics decorate their homes — both inside and out — with Christmas lights. 

Poinsettias

Not only are these plants beautiful to look at, but they are good reminders of the Christmas story and the sacrifice of our Lord. The shape of the poinsettia flower is a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Magi to Jesus, while the vibrant red color symbolizes the blood of Christ. 

Christmas Wreaths

You can often find Christmas wreaths on the doors or tables on Catholic homes, and here's why: the circular shape of the evergreen wreath represents the eternal life we can have with our Lord Jesus. 

#3 - What Are Common Catholic Christmas Ornaments?

Here are some of the ornaments that you can expect to find on a Catholic Christmas tree. 

Holy Family Ornaments

Since Jesus is truly the reason for the season, it's no surprise that you'll find Holy Family ornaments on a Catholic Christmas tree. Some ornaments feature Mother and Child, while others focus on baby Jesus in the manger. 

Star Ornaments

Stars are a central part of the Christmas story. On the night of Jesus' birth, a bright star appeared in the eastern sky. It was this star that the Magi followed to the newborn King of Kings. For this reason, Catholics decorate their trees with star ornaments. 

Angel Ornaments

Angels are the messengers of the Lord and a prominent part of the Christmas story. An angel appears to Mary to announce that she is with child. An angel tells Joseph that Jesus was conceived through the Holy Spirit. Then, upon our Lord's birth, an angel appears to the shepherds, at which time "a great company of the heavenly host" appears (Luke 2:8-14). Since angels are such a big part of the Christmas story, it makes sense that you'll find angel ornaments on a Catholic Christmas tree. 

Candy Cane Ornaments

It's common to see candy canes — or candy cane ornaments — decorating the Christmas tree in a Catholic home. But did you know that candy canes have religious significance? For starters, the candies are shaped like a staff, representing the shepherds present at Jesus' birth. The white in the candy cane reminds us of the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and the red symbolizes his blood and the stripes he received before the crucifixion.

Cardinal Ornaments

You may have heard that when a cardinal lands in your yard, it's a loved one visiting from Heaven. By including cardinal ornaments on the Christmas tree, Catholics can remember and honor those celebrating the holidays with Jesus in Heaven. 

#4 - When Do Catholics Take Down Christmas Decorations?

There are many celebrations in the days and weeks after Jesus is born. There's the Epiphany on January 6 to celebrate the visit from the Magi. Then there's the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, celebrated on the Sunday after Epiphany. A few weeks later, on February 2, is Candlemas, a day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the temple. 

All these are important milestones in the life of Jesus, and worthy of celebration. So, what you'll find is that Catholics usually take down their decorations following one of these Holy days. 

Taking things down in stages is also a popular approach since that can help clear out the decorations while hanging onto the celebrations. For example, maybe the nativity set stays out until the Epiphany, but other decorations are packed up before then. 

Looking for a Catholic Christmas decoration? 

Do you need a Catholic Christmas Ornament for your home or as a present? Shop our selection of Christmas ornaments and decorations.