What is the superstition about taking down the Christmas tree?

Another, perhaps lesser-known, tradition states that you should take your Christmas tree down on New Year's Eve (31st December) before midnight. For the superstitious types, it is thought you may have bad luck in the New Year if you keep your tree up longer than this period.

Is it bad luck to take down the Christmas tree?

Historically Christmas, the 12 days of Christmas, means you should put up your tree on Christmas eve and take it down on the 12th night (as mentioned in the Shakespeare play of the same name) or the festival of Epiphany on January 6. It is said to be bad luck to leave your decorations up longer than that.

Is the 12th night on 5th or 6th January?

Date. In many Western ecclesiastical traditions such as the Lutheran and Anglican denominations of Christianity, Christmas Day is considered the "First Day of Christmas" and the Twelve Days are 25 December – 5 January, inclusive, making Twelfth Night on 5 January, which is Epiphany Eve.

Is it bad luck to leave Christmas decorations up after?

Christmas decorations are a societal affectation. Whether one puts them up or doesn't put them up, whether one leaves them up or takes them down, whether they are put up in January or any other time before December, has no impact on the superstition defined as luck.

When should you take the Christmas tree down?

Traditionally, Christmas trees and decorations are taken down on Twelfth Night, which marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Twelfth Night is generally celebrated on the evening of the 5th of January. Twelfth Night is rooted in Christian tradition.

Is it bad luck to take your Christmas tree down before New Year's?

When to take down winter decorations?

January 1st and the 6th are two days people look at as a time for a fresh start and the perfect time to start taking down their holiday decor. These dates "are often linked to the end of the holiday season in many cultures," Abby Pendergrast, an interior stylist and set designer says.

Can you keep your Christmas tree up until Candlemas?

Dr Michael Carter, English Heritage's Senior Properties Historian, explains: Contrary to popular belief, the Christmas season actually continues right through to Candlemas on 2 February - so there's no real reason why you should take your decorations down earlier.

When to take down the Christmas tree in 2025?

We usually put it up on 13th December and take it down on 6th January. 5th January 2025 as this is 12th night, 25th December counting as 1st night.

Why do people leave their Christmas tree up until January 6th?

January 6th, also known as Epiphany, celebrates the visit of the Wise Men to baby Jesus, marking the official end of the Christmas season in many traditions.

What is the traditional date to take down Christmas decorations in the UK?

Twelfth Night is a Christian festival that takes place twelve days from Christmas Day, on 5 January. Many people believe is bad luck to leave your Christmas decorations up at this point. The twelve nights mark the coming of the feast of Epiphany on 6 January.

What do children do on the night of January 5th?

January 5, or the Three Kings Eve is also a night of family gatherings. Kids and adults collect grass for the Three Kings camels (or horses) that will come in the night to bring gifts, the Kings deliver the gifts next to the children's bed.

What are the 12 days after Christmas called?

The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as the Twelve Days of Christmastide, are the festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity. Christmas Day is the First Day. The Twelve Days are 25 December to 5 January, counting first and last.

What is the pagan origin of the Twelfth Night?

Twelfth Night was a pagan festival to celebrate the end of midwinter merry making (which had begun on All Hallows' Eve, 31st October, so quite a party). Then, it was celebrated around the 17th January or in early February.

Is it bad luck to out the Christmas tree early?

“As above, the tree would go up no earlier than 22 or 23 December, and quite often on Christmas Eve,” Hannah explains. Why? Well, as doctor Martin Johnes, author of Christmas And The British: A Modern History, explains putting your decorations up sooner rather than later was traditionally meant to bring bad luck.

Is it bad to leave your Christmas tree up?

January 6th

The Twelfth Night marks the end of the holiday and festive celebrations, so you can keep your tree out until then. If this tradition is one you can follow, know that it's considered to bring bad luck if you take your tree down before this date.

Should you leave your Christmas tree on when not home?

Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Why wait to take the Christmas tree down?

Many people do believe that taking your Christmas tree down before Epiphany can cause bad luck. However, others believe that keeping your tree up past the new year will create misfortune throughout the coming year. It really comes down to whether you believe in the superstitions or not.

What does an upside down Christmas tree mean?

Folklore attributes the upside down tree to Saint Boniface, a Catholic priest who led a mission to Germany and central Europe in the 7th century AD where he used the upside down tree to symbolize the Holy Trinity. By the 12th century the upside down tree was popular in many homes in north and central Europe.

Can I take my Christmas tree down on the 5th of January?

Some people like to take them down immediately after the festive holiday, some people like to wait until a New Year's Day spring clean, and some people wait until the twelfth day of Christmas on the 5 January.

Is Twelfth Night 5th or 6th January?

Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany Eve, falls on the 5th January and is the end of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas. Decorations were taken down, and it was commonly believed that misfortune would befall those that left their decorations up beyond that night.

What day is good luck to take down the Christmas tree?

When To Take Down Your Christmas Tree. Christmas tradition usually places January 5 as the last day of Christmas. Meanwhile, in religious calendars, January 6 is the Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings. These are popular dates when planning when to take your Christmas tree down.

What's the Christmas color for 2025?

At the top of the list for trending 2025 Christmas colors are: Mint, pink, silver, gold, and pearl. Designers will use these colors in everything from bold and bright palettes to warm, earthy combinations.

How long do Catholics keep Christmas trees up?

Many churches don't take down their Christmas decorations until the Sunday after Epiphany, which is on Jan. 6. According to the traditional Christian calendar, tonight marks ''Twelfth Night,'' or the Eve of Epiphany, the end of the 12 days of Christmas.

Why do you leave your Christmas tree up until January?

Epiphany, also known as the Feast of the Three Kings or Twelfth Night, is a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6th each year. This date extends the festive spirit well into the new year. Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men or Magi—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar—to Jesus in Bethlehem.

Is Candlemass the end of Christmas?

Traditionally, Candlemas marked the end of the extended Christmas season in the Church, which began with the Nativity and included Epiphany. While modern customs often pack away Christmas festivities by early January, in earlier times, the season of celebration lingered until this February feast.