When to take down your Christmas decorations and tree, according to tradition
When Christmas has come and gone for another year, we're still desperate to cling on to that festive spirit – but when is the most appropriate time to take down our Christmas decorations and our Christmas tree?
Well, depending on which Christian calendar you follow, the 5th or 6th of January could be the answer.
When should you take your Christmas decorations down?
Most of the tradition around the taking down of Christmas decorations is centred around the tree because, back in the day, that was likely the only decoration. In modern times, Christmas decorations have got bigger and twinklier and spread all over the inside and outside our homes. In terms of wider decorations – like lights in our gardens – there are less dictating traditions. In 2020, we saw the putting up of Christmas trees and decorations be dictated by the mood of the nation following the pandemic – everyone put them up really early! So we could also see this effect when they are taken down.
When to take Christmas tree down?
Christian tradition says your Christmas tree should stay up until the 'Twelfth Night', which celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men, or Magi, who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring their gifts to baby Jesus.
When is the Twelfth Night?
The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. While Christian tradition dictates advent is the four weeks prior to Christmas Eve (24th December), starting on a Sunday, different beliefs make the post-Christmas period harder to define, especially the Twelfth Night.
When to take your Christmas tree down is all dependant on when you start counting the '12 Days of Christmas', if you're going by tradition.
The Church of England counts from Christmas Day, so the Twelfth Night always falls on 5th January. But other denominations, including the Catholic Church, start counting the 12 Days of Christmas from Boxing Day, so the 6th January is the Twelfth Night and also Epiphany.
What are the 12 Days of Christmas?
Each of the 12 days after Christmas has a special meaning, celebrating different saints with a feast day. For example, Boxing Day on 26th December commemorates St Stephen the martyr. That's why it's also known as St Stephen's Day.
What is Epiphany?
Epiphany is the official end of the festive season on 6th January each year. It's an ancient Christian feast day celebrating the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, and the arrival of the Three Wise Men.
Around the world, special services take place. In Rome, the Pope presides over the Vatican's Annual Holy Mass for the Epiphany.
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