December is a fun-filled month full of pretty lights and ornaments, but once the festivities are over, you may be wondering when to take the Christmas tree down and put all of the decorations into storage. Some people like to have their tree up for as long as possible to ward off those post-holiday blues, whilst others want it gone before January so that they can start the new year afresh, but which is said to bring you more luck?
It's completely up to personal preference if you decide to take your Christmas tree down before or after the new year, but there are some factors which can help you to make your decision.
When should I take my Christmas tree down?
Twixmas
If you're ready to say goodbye to Christmas before everyone's even tucked into their first turkey sandwich, the week between Christmas and New Year (known as Twixmas) is the right time for you to take down your tree, although be prepared for some people to call you the Grinch...
You can get ahead of the game and give everywhere a good clean, ready to welcome in the New Year.
New Year's Eve
For many, the beginning of January marks the end of the Christmas period and a fresh start. So, if one of your New Year's resolutions is to become more organised, taking your tree down on or around the last day of December can encourage you to tidy up and refresh your space.
It could become a New Year tradition to put everything away until next year and declutter your room. If you're missing the festive fun, you can still leave a few fairy lights up in your home if you'd like to keep a bit of the magic as you head into the rest of winter.
After the twelve days of Christmas
Traditionally speaking, you are supposed to put away your decorations and tree on the 5th of January (on the Twelfth Night after the 25th) or on the 6th of January, which is the beginning of Epiphany in Christianity – a feast day to celebrate the Three Wise Men visiting the baby Jesus.
If you are still off work at this time, it means you get to enjoy your decorations for longer and pretend it's still Christmas whilst you munch away on the leftover chocolates.
When the tree starts dying
Those who have opted for a real tree are likely to find that it's starting to become a bit worse for wear towards the end of the festive period. Dry and dying trees are a fire hazard, so if the needles are turning brown or falling onto the floor, it's got to go.
If you wish you could keep your tree up for longer, why not invest in a Christmas tree alternative for next year? They require much less maintenance and you'll save yourself some money in the long run by using it every Christmas.
Is it bad luck to take the Christmas tree down early?
There are several superstitions when it comes to taking down the Christmas tree. Some believe that you will be "bringing last year's baggage" into the new year if you leave it up past the 31st of December and other people think it's best to stick to tradition and say goodbye to Christmas on the 6th of January to avoid bad luck.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.