When to take your Christmas decorations and tree down
With Christmas Day over and 2025 fast approaching, many of us may be wondering when we should take our Christmas tree and decorations down.
If you're desperate to cling to that festive spirit, you'll be pleased to know that the 5th or 6th of January could be the answer, depending on which Christian calendar you follow.
Other factors could determine when our decorations go up and come down, including the energy cost associated with multiple strings of fairy lights. Keep reading for everything you need to know about the tradition of taking down your Christmas tree:
When should you take your Christmas decorations down?
Most of the tradition around the taking down of Christmas decorations is centered around the tree. Traditionally, the Christmas tree should stay up until the 'Twelfth Night' (5th or 6th January).
According to previous research by Hammonds Furniture, 24% of UK households have admitted they will stick to the traditional date of the Twelfth Night to pack away their decorations this year. Meanwhile, nearly one in five (19%) will make sure their decorations are down before the turn of the new year.
When to take your 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.
Practically, it's important to recycle real Christmas trees. In this case, we must make sure they are ready for collection by the local council, if that's the route you take. Read our guide on how to recycle a real Christmas tree.
When is the Twelfth Night?
The answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. While Christian tradition dictates Advent is the four weeks before 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 depends 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 of 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.
What to do with Christmas tree and decorations after you've taken them down
Follow our helpful guides to make sure you wrap up Christmas as sustainably as possible this year:
9 ways to recycle, reuse or donate unwanted Christmas presents
12 ways to store Christmas decorations so they last year after year
Christmas tree and decorations storage: 5 tips for storing decorations like a pro
Wondering how to tidy away your Christmas decorations for next year? Take a look at our top tips for packing like a pro:
1. Wrap lights around cardboard to avoid any tangles
2. Reuse any delivery packages to store your decorations. Don't forget to label each box clearly so you can find it again next Christmas. A spokesperson from Next says: "Labelled storage containers are also a huge help; you don't want to mistake your Christmas decorations for Halloween ones!"
3. Wrap fragile items carefully. "For glass baubles and ornaments bubble wrap is the best solution for protecting them, however old newspapers and even used wrapping paper will still prove an effective solution."
4. Place any artificial trees in tree bags. This will keep them safe and secure.
5. Organise your decorations into types and store them in these groups. This might be based on colour or room, such as decorations for the living room.
6. Don't forget to thoroughly clean once everything has been tidied away. "For many people, taking down the Christmas decorations prepared them for the new year ahead. It's a great opportunity to re-set and clean the house after all the festivities."
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