Here's When to Take Your Christmas Tree Down
There's absolutely nothing wrong with decorating early for Christmas—in fact, we're here for it. (Year-round Christmas stores and Hallmark Christmas movies exist for a reason, right?!) And although the argument continues about how early is too early, another debate is stirring: When should you take your Christmas tree and other holiday decorations down? There are plenty of folks who leave their homes all twirled up until New Year's Day or beyond. Or perhaps you're in the camp of immediately taking your Christmas tree down on December 26. But there's actually some interesting history behind putting it all away that may help inform your packing-up-the-Christmas-decorations date.
To help you answer the question of when to take down Christmas decorations, we're breaking down everything there is to know about dismantling your Christmas tree right here.
When do you take down your Christmas tree? Does it have to be by a certain day?
Some people put their tree away the day after Christmas; others wait until the first or second week of January. So, which is right? As with most things, it depends on who you ask.
There are tons Christmas fanatics who start decorating as soon as the Thanksgiving plates are cleared (if not right after Halloween!) and keep their Christmas tree up for as long as possible. After all, according to experts, putting your holiday decorations up early could make you feel happier, so it makes sense that leaving them up could have the same effect. And who wouldn't want that? Others feel the need for the Christmas clutter to be cleaned up as soon as the last gift is opened. So when should you put your tree away? The short answer is: Do whatever feels right for you!
Is there history behind when to take down your Christmas tree?
For those who keep Christ in Christmas, this information may inform your decision a bit. According to Catholic religion, you should hold off taking down your Christmas tree until January 7. Although many believe that the 12 days of Christmas are the days leading to December 25 (that’s thanks to popular songs and movies that represent it that way), in Catholicism, the 12 days actually start on December 25 and last through January 6, which is known as Epiphany (or when the Three Wise Men came to visit Jesus). Once Epiphany is over, it’s time to toss the tree. So when to take down Christmas decorations in Catholic church is more than a full week following Christmas Day—not just when you want a fresh start to the New Year, which for many includes the house going back to normal.
When should you take down your Christmas tree to avoid a fire hazard?
Now here's a very important point that’s imperative to keep in mind. If you opt for a real Christmas tree, you should consider how long it will last before drying out. Most home and garden centers will tell you that the five-week mark is when a real Christmas tree starts to become a fire hazard.
But if you want to keep your Christmas tree alive as long as possible, check the water levels daily and refill as needed, and you can likely stretch the life of your tree to six weeks. Just be sure to keep a close eye on the needles—if you notice they’re turning yellow or brown or feel crunchy to the touch, it’s time to take your Christmas tree out to the curb. If that thought shatters your heart, there’s always a solution: artificial Christmas trees (there are so many out there that look like the real thing!) or potted Christmas trees you can replant.
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