Traditionally, Christmas trees and decorations are taken down on the Twelfth Night
This will fall on 5 January or 6 January 2023, depending on whether you count 25 December as day one
Keeping festive decorations up for longer is often considered to be bad luck
Read on to learn more about why we decorate for Christmas – and what it says about you if you take yours down earlier
The period between Christmas and New Year (when no one really knows what day it is) often gets people wondering about when to take down the tree and any lingering decorations.
But the good news is, if you can't see yourself getting off the sofa any time soon, or you just want to bask in the festivity a little longer, there's no need to rush.
While of course it's really up to you when you de-Christmas your home – whether that's after pulling the last cracker or weeks later – here's what tradition says about the right date to do it if you want to avoid 'bad luck'.
Read more: Why a Christmas tree in your bedroom means better sleep
When should you take down your Christmas decor?
If your household is divided on when to say goodbye to your tree and decorations, looking to Christian tradition could prove useful.
For many, 12 nights after Christmas, known as the Twelfth Night or the Eve of Epiphany, is considered the end of the holiday.
So, officially, this will fall on 5 January or 6 January 2023, depending on whether Christmas is counted as day one or not.
The Epiphany or Three Kings' Day on 6 January, is described as a Christian feast day that celebrates how a star led the Wise Men to visit baby Jesus after his birth, with 'epiphany' meaning 'to reveal'.
Leaving Christmas decorations up any longer after this is widely considered to be unlucky. But for those who choose to whip decorations straight down, what does this say about us?
"You may be the kind of person who enjoys the lead-up and anticipation of Christmas more than anything else," explains Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. "Or maybe you feel a sense of sadness that it is over and you don’t want to be reminded of it."
Alternatively Dr Touroni suggests it could just mean you like to be organised and see it as a task that you want to complete as soon as possible.
Read more: Six guilt-free ways to get rid of unwanted Christmas presents
Why do we decorate for Christmas?
For a reminder of why we put up Christmas trees and decorations in the first place, the custom can actually be traced back centuries, through both history and religion.
For thousands of years, both Pagans and Christians would bring in evergreen trees to celebrate winter festivals.
For Pagans, they were put up during the winter solstice (the shortest day and longest night of the year), with their branches a reminder that spring was just around the corner.
Meanwhile, Romans would decorate temples at the festival of Saturnalia (honouring the agricultural god Saturn) with fir trees. And for Christians, these trees represented resilience and were used as a sign of everlasting life with God.
Over time this morphed into the Christmas tree tradition we see today.
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Christians in Germany are heavily credited for starting this, as many of them began decorating trees that they brought in from outside. Those who couldn’t afford a tree or didn’t have access to one would get creative and make their own using wooden pyramids.
Some of their first Christmas trees were actually decorated with sweets, such as gingerbread men and gold-covered apples.
And when it comes to festive lights, the tradition can be traced all the way back to Yule, a Norse tradition celebrating midwinter.
This tradition involved drinking 'Yule', a type of beer, while watching the Yule log burn. Lighting it was believed to call for the return of the sun while also driving away evil spirits.
In Christian terms, it’s been argued that this idea represents Jesus lighting up the darkness.
Watch: Christmas-loving Brits vow to light up the UK this season despite crippling energy costs
As someone deeply immersed in the realm of cultural traditions, historical significance, and psychological interpretations, I'm well-versed in the intricacies surrounding the customs and practices associated with festive celebrations like Christmas. My knowledge spans various aspects mentioned in the article, encompassing religious traditions, historical roots, psychological implications, and societal beliefs.
Regarding the timing of dismantling Christmas decorations, the Twelfth Night holds significance in Christian tradition. This night, falling either on January 5th or 6th, marks the conclusion of the Christmas holiday period, with its association to the Epiphany or Three Kings' Day, commemorating the Wise Men's visit to baby Jesus. The belief in taking down decorations post-Twelfth Night to avoid bad luck is a tradition upheld by many.
Dr. Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist, provides insights into the psychological reasoning behind differing attitudes toward dismantling decorations. Some individuals might prolong the festive ambiance due to a love for the anticipation and lead-up to Christmas, while others may hasten the removal due to feelings of sadness at its conclusion or simply for organizational reasons.
The practice of decorating for Christmas finds its roots in ancient traditions. Both Pagans and Christians historically incorporated evergreen trees into winter celebrations. Pagans used them during the winter solstice as a symbol of approaching spring, while Romans decorated temples with fir trees during Saturnalia, honoring Saturn. Christians adopted these trees as a representation of resilience and eternal life with God, evolving them into the modern-day Christmas tree.
The Christmas tree tradition, widely credited to Christians in Germany, began with outdoor trees decorated by those who could afford them. Wooden pyramids were used as alternatives by those without access to trees. Initially adorned with sweets like gingerbread and gold-covered apples, these trees gradually transformed into what we recognize today.
Festive lights, a significant aspect of Christmas decorations, trace their origins back to the Norse tradition of Yule, celebrating midwinter. The lighting of the Yule log symbolized the return of the sun and the dispelling of evil spirits. Some argue that this concept aligns with Christian symbolism, representing Jesus as a light in the darkness.
In summary, my expertise delves into the historical, religious, and psychological dimensions of Christmas traditions, encompassing the symbolism of decorations, their origins, and the varying attitudes toward their removal post-holiday season.
