‘Counting On’ Fans React To Jessa Duggar Putting Up Her Christmas Tree In October

Jessa Duggar loves Christmas. Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar raised their kids as devout Baptists, and growing up, Jessa didn’t celebrate Christmas the way most kids do. Now, though, she has her own family and does Christmas her own way — and apparently that includes putting up her tree in October.

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar did Christmas differently than most families

When Michelle and Jim Bob wed, they decided that they would raise their children with deep ties to their Baptist religion. With that said, everything the Duggar’s do is done for God. To the Duggars, Christmas isn’t about presents and Santa Claus — it’s about Jesus.

Michelle and Jim Bob did not allow their children to believe in Santa, as they felt that Santa took away from the religious meaning of Christmas. Plus, they didn’t want to lie to their children. The Duggars don’t keep a Christmas tree in their home, either. Rather, each year, the family hangs a banner that reads “Happy Birthday Jesus” in big letters. The family does participate in some typical Christmas traditions, though, such as their annual ugly sweater party. The holiday has always held a lot of meaning to the Duggars, despite that they don’t celebrate in a mainstream way.

Jessa and Ben Seewald now have a Christmas tree

Once some of Michelle and Jim Bob’s kids moved out, they were able to start their own family traditions. Now, most of the children do put up their own Christmas trees. Christmas has always been Jessa Duggar’s favorite holiday, and when she and Ben started growing their family, fans wondered whether they would allow their children to believe in Santa.

It doesn’t appear that any of the Duggar kids have done the “Santa” portion of Christmas. Jill and Jessa Duggar’s kids don’t believe, and from what we know, neither do any other Duggar grandkids. Some thought Felicity, Jinger’s daughter, might have Santa in her life, but that’s unclear. Still, it doesn’t stop the family from celebrating a bit early.

‘Counting On’ viewers had mixed reactions to Jessa and Ben putting up their tree so early  

Jessa and Ben surprised fans when they showed off that Jessa put up the family’s Christmas tree in late October. Ben posted a photo to Instagram saying, “She couldn’t wait,” with a winking emoji. Fans had mixed reactions, with some supporting Jessa’s decision and others saying it was way too early. Jill and Jinger Duggar were both in support of Jessa’s decision, with Jinger saying she was “thinking about doing the same thing.”

“It’s 2020. There are no rules,” one user wrote, with a laughing emoji. “I’m about ready to put mine up too,” another person commented. Others, however, didn’t love that Jessa and Ben were rushing the season. “No respect for veterans and those who died for your freedom,” one person wrote, saying that Jessa should have waited until after Veterans Day. “It’s waaaaaaaaay too early to be in the Christmas spirit it’s only October,” someone else wrote.

Still, many felt that 2020 has already been upended enough that it doesn’t matter when the two put up their tree. “Tidings of comfort and joy, Seewalds!” another fan commented.