Two common dates when you traditionally take down your Christmas tree
Once Christmas Day and Twixmas passes, attention often turns to tidying the house and packing up the tree, including decorations such as wreaths, lights and garlands. But when should you take your Christmas tree down? There's often confusion (and much debate) about the right time to do this, but you shouldn't be tempted to take your Christmas decorations down too quickly – tradition stipulates that it should stay up for a little longer than you might think.
Twelfth Night
Christian tradition dating back to the 4th century marks Twelfth Night, the end of Christmas and the Eve of the Epiphany (Christian feast day), as the time to take down your Christmas tree and pack up your decorations.
That means you can enjoy the twinkling lights for a little while longer because Twelfth Night falls on either Sunday 5th or Monday 6th January 2025 – and the dates depend on tradition. Be warned though: leaving your Christmas decorations up after this date is thought to bring bad luck.
After Advent, which is best described as the period of four weeks before Christmas in preparation and celebration of the birth of Jesus, Christmas celebrations traditionally started on Christmas Day and lasted for 12 days (known as the 12 Days of Christmas), finishing on the evening of 5th January, known as Twelfth Night.
The Epiphany on 6th January is a celebration in itself, marking the Magi – the Three Kings or Wise Men – visiting baby Jesus in his manger in Bethlehem, with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Church of England celebrates Twelfth Night on 5th January, and the season of Epiphany from 6th January to 2nd February. However, some mark 6th January as Twelfth Night, counting the 12 days after Christmas Day, which is where the confusion stems from.
'Twelfth Night is the night before Epiphany and is the night, tradition says, when Christmas decorations should be taken down,' said a Church of England spokesperson. 'Epiphany, on the other hand, is the day when the Church, theologically, marks the arrival of the wise men to give their gifts to the baby Jesus: the day when some will add the wise men to their nativity scenes.'
New Year's Eve
Another, perhaps lesser-known, tradition states that you should take your Christmas tree down on New Year's Eve (31st December) before midnight. For the superstitious types, it is thought you may have bad luck in the New Year if you keep your tree up longer than this period.
Candlemas
Candlemas is a rich tradition of the Roman Catholic Church and marked the official end of Christmas in medieval England. Observed on 2nd February each year, exactly 40 days after Christmas, Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary. It's called Candlemas because it marks the day that all the Church's candles for the year are blessed. Traditionally, decorations were kept up until the evening before Candlemas.
Joy drenching and evergreen decor
The interior experts at Furn warn against taking decorations down too early. ‘Over a third (37 per cent) of Brits who decorate for Christmas notice a negative impact when they put everything away,’ explains interior expert Anna Jones. ‘Joy drenching is about filling our homes with items that bring happiness and warmth. So, when the festive period ends and we begin taking down those beloved decorations, it's no surprise it can really affect our mood. It can leave you feeling a sense of disconnect and sadness in your own space.
'It's tough to say goodbye to those special pieces that have lifted your spirits throughout the holiday season; it always feels anticlimactic when we say goodbye for another year.’
But you don’t have to take down all decorations, especially those that can be used all year round, whether it’s a plain garland on the mantel or velvet bows on candlesticks.
‘I suggest that you take a look at the lights, candles, decorations, and furnishings you’ve added over the past few weeks and consider which ones have made you smile the most. Keeping some of these items in your home throughout January can help extend this positive mood through the gloomier first month of the year and beyond,’ adds Anna.
Furn expert Rea Bell extends her decorations well into the new year. ‘I have a mirrorball that stays up all year and I move my Christmas lights into other areas around my house throughout the year, whether it’s the mantelpiece or in the window,’ she explains. ‘Ultimately, it’s about finding ways to repurpose the items that you associate with being festive but also have longevity to them based on how you style them.'
What to do with your real Christmas tree
Whenever you decide to take down your Christmas tree, don't forget to do your bit for the environment. Real Christmas trees can be recycled for composting and wood chipping – the chippings can then be used locally in parks or woodland areas.
Some councils will collect Christmas trees with normal garden waste, while others will have designated collections or special drop-off points. Visit your local authority's website for further guidance. Garden centres will often be happy to take old trees too. And, if you have a potted Christmas tree, remember you can plant it in the garden to give it life beyond the festive season.
Renting a real Christmas tree this year? Ensure you organise with your tree supplier when your tree will be collected.
How to store your artificial Christmas tree
If you have an artificial Christmas tree, take a more eco-friendly approach and reduce waste by storing it and reusing it each year. Storage is important too. You'll need to invest in a durable tree bag or box and store your tree in a cool, dry place. Sprinkling baking soda or unused coffee grounds will prevent any frowsy smells, according to the tree experts at Balsam Hill. Read more Christmas storage tips.
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