Why you should take Christmas decorations down today - according to tradition

[Rob Thompson]

Why you should take Christmas decorations down today - according to tradition

By - Ariane Sohrabi-ShirazLifestyle

Source - The Mirror

Date - 05-01-23

Some people love leaving their Christmas tree and decorations up so the lights can keep away the January blues, but according to tradition you should be taking them down today.

For some people, they put their Christmas decorations up as soon as Halloween is over, meaning they will have already been up for a couple of months by now.

 

Others wait until December, or just before Christmas, and can't wait to take them down again to start the new year afresh. But did you know that tradition actually dictates when you should be taking your decorations down down?

According to Christian tradition, there's an exact date you should be taking down your Christmas decorations - and failing to do could cause you misery for the next year, if you believe in that sort of thing.

According to Christian tradition, you should be taking down Christmas trees and decorations on the Twelfth Night to avoid bad luck.

The Twelfth Night celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men when they followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus.

This year the Twelfth Night falls on Thursday, January 5, so according to tradition you should be taking them down today.

However, it gets a bit tricky because different areas of Christianity start counting the 12 Days of Christmas differently, so others believe you should wait until Epiphany, which takes place the day after, on Friday January 6.

The Church of England counts from Christmas Day, which means the Twelfth Night falls on January 5.

Other denominations, including the Catholic Church, start counting from Boxing Day, which means the Twelfth Night falls on January 6, which is also known as Epiphany.

Epiphany officially marks the end of the festive season, and is a Christian feast day celebrating the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

While taking down decorations on either January 5 or 6 is followed by many, it is of course down to individual choice.

Some people keep decorations up to ease their January blues, while others can't wait to give their home a spritz for the new year.

For example, one mum divided opinions after revealing she takes decorations down on Christmas Day itself.

There are plenty of 'green' ways to dispose of your Christmas tree, which will give something back to the soil as a little thank you.

Garden expert Guy Barter has said shredding Christmas trees can create useful mulch for the garden.

Or, if you have a potted Christmas tree you could always plant it in your garden

The most important thing is to make sure your festive fir doesn't end up in the bin.

Local councils and charities often have recycling schemes.

 

 

Epiphany officially marks the end of the festive season, and is a Christian feast day celebrating the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

While taking down decorations on either January 5 or 6 is followed by many, it is of course down to individual choice.

Some people keep decorations up to ease their January blues, while others can't wait to give their home a spritz for the new year.

For example, one mum divided opinions after revealing she takes decorations down on Christmas Day itself.

What to do with your Christmas tree
Christmas tree
It's important to dispose of your Christmas tree properly (stock image) ( Image: Getty Images)

There are plenty of 'green' ways to dispose of your Christmas tree, which will give something back to the soil as a little thank you.

Garden expert Guy Barter has said shredding Christmas trees can create useful mulch for the garden.

Or, if you have a potted Christmas tree you could always plant it in your garden.

The most important thing is to make sure your festive fir doesn't end up in the bin.

Local councils and charities often have recycling schemes.

When do you take your Christmas decorations down? Let us know in the comments below.

 

 

 

[SCSanta]

We have almost all of them down. If you do not get them down by Epiphany, they should stay up until Candlemas Day. (Feb 2) Twelfth Night is also the date that I email thanks and New Years wishes to all of my clients from the previous year. 

[Sundblom Santa]

33 minutes ago, SCSanta said:

We have almost all of them down. If you do not get them down by Epiphany, they should stay up until Candlemas Day. (Feb 2) Twelfth Night is also the date that I email thanks and New Years wishes to all of my clients from the previous year.

Common liturgical dates (regardless of one’s denominational affiliation) really are a good way to measure the Season (e.g., Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Candlemas).

I’ve thought of allowing some decorations up until Candlemas (Feb. 2) but could never go through with it (I’m not that crazy . . . or maybe I am).

Edited January 6, 2023 by Sundblom Santa

[Schwindy]

The tree, & lights gets unplugged the night of the Epiphany but doesn't always get back up to the attic until the legs are GOOD TO GO! Most of the other stuff are back to where they need to be in the 3rd bedroom by the end of that night as well. 

[Cliff Cringle]

Normally I take them down between the 4th and 6th of Jan, depending when I have the time.

The outside decorations are taken down on the first dry day after new year.😁

[Santa Johnny Boy]

You take yours down? 

[Rob Thompson]

Ours came down yesterday, the house always looks like a desert when the decorations are removed. Oh well only eleven months to go and they will be back out  

[Grandpa Gus]

I don't take my decorations down until after my wife's birthday in Jan. Then she's willing to help and put away all the ornaments. 

[Sundblom Santa]

4 hours ago, Santa Johnny Boy said:

You take yours down? 

3 hours ago, Rob Thompson said:

Oh well only eleven months to go and they will be back out

You know, you could always keep them up. “Well, honey, I thought we could have them up eleven months early. Saves time.”

Edited January 6, 2023 by Sundblom Santa

[Rob Thompson]

19 minutes ago, Sundblom Santa said:

You know, you could always keep them up. “Well, honey, I thought we could have them up eleven months early. Saves time.”

Part of me would like to keep them up, but to be honest, it wouldnt be the same. Part of the Christmas joy is decorating the house for that season.

I must confess though, taking the decorations down and packaging them up is a real pain in the rear!

[SantaJoe]

But it's the Sunday after Jan. 5th per the Church.  

[Randy Reed]

Took my outside decorations down yesterday (01/05). Now the house looks naked. But our little indoor tree is still up for right now. 

[Cliff Cringle]

5 hours ago, Rob Thompson said:

Part of me would like to keep them up, but to be honest, it wouldnt be the same. Part of the Christmas joy is decorating the house for that season.

I must confess though, taking the decorations down and packaging them up is a real pain in the rear!

You're so right. This year as I packed them away, I took out all the things we didn't use (to childish,  damaged or too cheap looking) and will get rid of them, some to charity, other in the bin.

 

[Rob Thompson]

2 hours ago, Cliff Cringle said:

You're so right. This year as I packed them away, I took out all the things we didn't use (to childish,  damaged or too cheap looking) and will get rid of them, some to charity, other in the bin.

 

We often donate older, unwanted decorations too and they are always gratefully accepted  

[Warrenton Santa]

ours will go down tomorrow because of Epiphany

[Santa SteveKl]

Our internal are down, just need to get the outside décor taken care of.