Once the magic of Christmas is over you have to decide when to take down christmas decorations.
For some, it can be a very sad moment to have to take them down, but it does need to be done! It’s also a bit of a anticlimax after all the anticipation of Christmas to pack everything back up into cardboard boxes again.
But when do Christmas decorations come down?
There are mixed opinions on when is the ‘correct’ time to do this.
This results from not only church traditions but also from superstitions (which could perhaps be called old wives’ tales too).
Often, the date that you choose to take down your Christmas lights and festive decorations will come down to your personal beliefs and perhaps also the traditions you grew up with.
At the end of the day there’s really no hard and fast rule about when to take down Christmas decorations after the big day, but there are some traditional dates and factors to consider which can help you make your decision.
Traditional dates for taking down Christmas decorations
The dates for taking down Christmas decorations vary across different cultures and religious practices. While there is no fixed global consensus, several common customs have emerged over time.
The Twelfth Night
This Christian tradition is based on the biblical story of the arrival of the three wise men to visit the baby Jesus twelve days after his birth. You will of course know all about them as it’s a really famous nativity scene.
In some cultures, 12th Night is regarded as the eve of the Epiphany, which commemorates the manifestation of Jesus to the world.
On this night, it is customary to take down Christmas decorations to conclude the festive period and prepare for the return to everyday life.
The exact date of Twelfth Night is a matter of some debate, and there are two main traditions who believe it is either January 5th or January 6th:
- The first tradition counts the 12 days of Christmas from Christmas Day itself, so Twelfth Night falls on January 5. This is the tradition followed by the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and some other Protestant churches.
- The second tradition counts the 12 days of Christmas from December 26, the day after Christmas, so Twelfth Night falls on January 6. This is the tradition followed by the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, and some other Christian churches.
Nevertheless, the twelfth day of Christmas marks the end of the Christmas season for many Christians.
New Year’s Eve
There is another train of thought that leaving them up after New Year’s Eve is also bad luck.
Some people like to remove their decorations before the new year starts as a way of beginning afresh.
It’s an act that signifies the leaving behind of the old and the advent of the new.
If you carry your Christmas decorations over into the new year, then you are symbolically bringing old baggage along with you.
Candlemas
Candlemas is celebrated on February 2nd, forty days after Christmas.
This date holds significance in the Christian calendar as it marks the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and the purification of the Virgin Mary.
In some traditions, Candlemas also symbolizes the end of the Christmas season, and decorations are removed as a way of transitioning into the next phase of the liturgical year.
Modern times
While Twelfth Night and Candlemas are notable dates for taking down Christmas decorations, many people today opt for more flexible timelines.
Some prefer to dismantle their decorations shortly after New Year’s Day, signifying a fresh start to the year. Others choose to leave them up until the end of January, extending the festive spirit a little longer. There are even those who prefer to keep their decorations up year-round, adding a touch of cheer to their homes regardless of the season.
You might also want to consider the condition of your holiday decorations when you decide when’s best to take them down after Christmas. If you have a real Christmas tree, for example. If the tree is starting to dry out or the needles are falling off, it’s time to take it down.
The same applies if you have another event within the short period after Christmas, such as a big birthday party. In this case the best time to take your Christmas décor and twinkling lights down would be before this occasion.
This is of course a personal choice as some people would love to see Christmas tree decorations even on their birthday.
What’s the answer?
It would seem, therefore, that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to when to take down Christmas decorations. And although they do make for a cozy home they do have to come down at some point.
Therefore, the good news is that it depends on your personal belief, and also on your opinion on when is the right time for you.
If it makes sense to you to take down your Christmas decorations before the new year begins, then do so. If you prefer to stick to tradition and take them down on Twelfth Night (whatever date that is for you) then that can be considered to be the appropriate time for you.
If, instead, you want to leave them up a bit longer to enjoy them for longer, then do so. It’s true that ‘Christmas comes but once a year’ after all! You can decide on the right date to take them down when it works for you.
Realistically you can leave your Christmas decorations up all year if that’s your personal preference. However, that does mean you’ll miss out on the joy of putting them back up again next December!
Decorating the Christmas tree is such an exciting event and it makes sense to make a big occasion of it.
If taking down your Christmas decorations makes you sad, then why not mark it as an occasion too?
Then you can spend the rest of the year looking forward to next holiday season and getting the decorations out again!
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