With the Christmas now behind us, you might be pondering when it’s appropriate to take down your Christmas tree and pack away the decorations.
The date for getting rid of your Christmas tree is largely a matter of personal choice, but those who adhere to tradition will know that keeping it up too long can bring bad luck.
This belief, rooted in a tradition dating back centuries, suggests that leaving your tree up beyond a certain point could invite evil spirits or misfortune into your home. This is based on a Christian tradition from the 4th century known as Twelfth Night.
You’re likely already familiar with the 12 Days of Christmas, which supposedly represents the time between Jesus’ birth and the arrival of the Three Wise Men.
This period starts on December 25 and concludes on January 6, also known as the Epiphany.
This year, the 12th night after Christmas falls on Sunday, January 5. The exact date varies each year, depending on whether you start the count on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
Historically, Twelfth Night is the time by which your decorations should be removed. It’s thought that until the 1800s, the 12-day period following Christmas included several other holidays and celebrations, until they were reportedly removed from the calendar by Queen Victoria.
After Twelfth Night, the Victorians expected people to cease the festivities and return to work. This may explain why it’s now considered unlucky to leave the decorations up beyond this point.
Another theory as to why your tree could bring bad luck beyond Twelfth Night is due to superstitions surrounding the trees themselves.
According to History.com, it was once believed that evergreens could ward off evil spirits, witches, ghosts or bad luck if kept in your home.
Therefore, removing them before they withered and died was crucial to keeping your house free from evil.
The date you choose to take down your tree is entirely up to you, especially if a tree is dropping needles, smelling musty or the limbs are stiff or droopy.
However, for those who are superstitious, it’s recommended to pack it away on January 5.
