In this whimsical journey through the strange and sometimes slightly absurd realms of modern festive decor, a peculiar trend has emerged: the year-round Christmas tree. That’s right, Americans are leaving their Christmas trees up well past the twinkling allure of December, opting to decorate them for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and presumably Arbor Day for good measure. Some see it as a stroke of joyful creativity; others might suggest it belongs in the realm of white elephants.

For those who’ve ever tossed that fully ornament-laden tree into the basement with a sigh of relief, the notion of dodging the annual box-and-store ritual might sound like a jingle bell dream. Let’s face it, dragging out the ancient tangle of lights and dusting off the ornaments isn’t exactly anyone’s favorite festive chore. It seems there’s a faction of the population perfectly content to keep their trees aglow all year round. And really, if the alternative is spending another afternoon wrestling with yards of mangled tinsel, who can blame them?

Yet, the critics among us can’t help but raise an eyebrow at this trend. There’s a certain campy charm, but come July, when the smell of grilled hot dogs wafts in the air, a makeshift Christmas tree decorated in red, white, and blue might appear slightly out of season. Moreover, one can’t help but suspect some corporate finger-pointing is at play, pushing plastic greenery on those of us seeking an eternal slice of cheer.

Let’s consider the implications more seriously. Keeping a tree up all year as a multi-holiday decoration hub just might be the cleverest hack of the modern domestic realm. It certainly streamlines the ever-commercialized; perhaps it’s secretly a movement of minimalism masquerading as decoration overload. Imagine the freedom of simply swapping a few ornaments, rather than rebuilding the entire festive display from scratch multiple times a year. It’s about picking battles, and for some, the battlefield is that barren living room corner usually home to a mop and a forlorn-looking lamp.

Amid the chuckles and side glances, this trend quietly champions a fight against the drudgery of routine. It challenges tradition, sprinkles it with a hefty dose of kitschy fun, and if it means infusing a little extra happiness in homes everywhere, who are we to keep saying “bah, humbug”? Whether it’s a trend that will jingle all year or fizzle faster than discount eggnog the day after Christmas remains to be seen. Regardless, the year-round Christmas tree speaks to a broader desire: endless festivity and perpetual joy—it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, even in July.