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When to Take Christmas Decorations Down 2019

When is the best time to take your Christmas tree down? Once Christmas Day and Twixmas passes, attention often turns to tidying the house and packing up the tree, including decorations (such as wreaths, lights and garlands) and cards. There's often confusion – and debate – about the right time to do this. But you shouldn't be tempted to take your Christmas decorations down too quickly because tradition stipulates that it should stay up for a little longer than you might think.

Twelfth Night

Christian tradition dating back to the 4th century marks Twelfth Night, the end of Christmas and the Eve of the Epiphany (Christian feast day), as the time to take down your Christmas tree and pack away your decorations again.

That means you can enjoy the twinkling lights for a little while longer, because Twelfth Night falls on either 5th or 6th January 2021 – and the dates depend on tradition. Be warned though: leaving your decorations up after this date is thought to bring bad luck.

After Advent, which is best described as the period of four weeks before Christmas in preparation and celebration of the birth of Jesus, Christmas celebrations traditionally started on Christmas Day and lasted for 12 days (known as the 12 Days of Christmas), finishing on the evening of 5th January, known as Twelfth Night.

The Epiphany on 6th January is a celebration in itself, marking the Magi – the Three Kings or Wise Men – visiting baby Jesus in his manger in Bethlehem, with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

christmas tree decorations

Mark Scott

The Church of England celebrates Twelfth Night on 5th January, and the season of Epiphany from 6th January to 2nd February. However, some mark 6th January as Twelfth Night, counting the 12 days after Christmas Day, which is where the confusion stems from.

'Twelfth Night is the night before Epiphany and is the night, tradition says, when Christmas decorations should be taken down,' a Church of England spokesperson told The Telegraph. 'Epiphany, on the other hand, is the day when the Church, theologically, marks the arrival of the wise men to give their gifts to the baby Jesus: the day when some will add the wise men to their nativity scenes.'

New Year's Eve

There is another, perhaps lesser-known, tradition that in fact 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.

this season's most beautiful christmas schemes will transform your home with stylemake an entrancefresh garlands of white roses transform a banister hanging white baubles and star shaped lights create shimmer and soft light

House Beautiful/Dan Duchars

Roman Catholics

However, Roman Catholic families can choose to keep their tree up until 2nd February, according to the traditions of Candlemas, which commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple.

The Queen

Elsewhere, the Queen actually leaves her Christmas decorations up even longer, up until 6th February, which marks the anniversary of her father, King George VI's death. He passed away in 1952 at Sandringham House where the royal family spend Christmas. In a normal year*, the Queen typically stays at Sandringham until early February to mark the anniversary before returning to Buckingham Palace, so the decorations would stay up until the Queen and Prince Philip end their festive stay.

*This year, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen and Prince Philip will remain at Windsor Castle this Christmas.


What to do with your real Christmas tree

after christmas

suteishi Getty Images

While there are many traditions, whenever you decide to take down your Christmas tree, don't forget to do your bit for the environment. If you have a real Christmas tree, remember that it can be recycled for composting and wood chipping – the chippings can then be used locally in parks or woodland areas.

Some councils will collect Christmas trees with normal garden waste, some will have designated collections and others will have special drop-off points. Visit your local authority's website for further guidance. You'll also find that many garden centres are happy to take old trees too. And, if you have a potted Christmas tree, remember you can plant it in the garden to give it life beyond the festive season.

Meanwhile, if you have rented a real Christmas tree this year, ensure you organise with your tree supplier when your tree will be collected.

Elsewhere, if you have an artificial Christmas tree, take a more eco-friendly approach and reduce waste by storing it and re-using each year. According to the Carbon Trust, an artificial Christmas tree needs to be used for 10 Christmases for it to have a lower carbon footprint than a real one.

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10 books to inspire you to clean, declutter and organise your home

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying

Vermilion amazon.co.uk

£10.55

Marie Kondo's Spark Joyis an in-depth, illustrated, room-by-room guide to decluttering and organising your home. If something sparks joy, keep it, if not, expel it from your home. This book covers every room in the house, as well as a wide range of items in different categories, including clothes, photographs, paperwork, books, cutlery, cosmetics, shoes, bags, wallets and valuables.

The Home Edit: Conquering the clutter with style

The Home Edit: Conquering the clutter with style

Famous home organisers to the stars, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin give you a masterclass in paring down your belongings in every room, arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-find way (they love a label), and maintaining the system so you don't need another do-over in six months. You can also watch their show,Get Organised with The Home Edit, on Netflix.

The Organised Mum Method: Transform your home in 30 minutes a day

The Organised Mum Method: Transform your home in 30 minutes a day

If you need to revolutionise your home routine, try the popular The Organised Mum Method (TOMM). The concept by Gemma Bray promises to help you 'clean smarter not harder' by spending 30 minutes cleaning a different room each day of the week – and it'll spare you your weekends, too.

Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book On Decluttering You'll Ever Need

Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book On Decluttering You'll Ever Need

Tracy McCubbin delves into the root of why many of us struggle to keep our homes decluttered. McCubbin's powerful answer lies in the 7 Emotional Clutter Blocks – obstacles she will help readers overcome in order to declutter their homes and improve their overall wellbeing.

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets

How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: Dealing with Your House's Dirty Little Secrets

Dana K. White explains, clearly and without delusions, what it takes to get – and keep – your home under control. Her strategies include where to start to tame the chaos, which habits deserve your focus and will make the most impact, and practical tips you can implement immediately to declutter a huge amount of stuff with minimal drama.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: The Japanese Art

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: The Japanese Art

Marie Kondo's successful KonMari Method will help to keep your home clear and clutter-free permanently. If you follow the inspirational step-by-step, you're promised to see results.

The Easy Life: Quick ways to clean and manage your home all year round

The Easy Life: Quick ways to clean and manage your home all year round

Manage your home with Lynsey Crombie, Instagram sensation and TV's Queen of Clean, as she creates a system of speed-cleaning challenges, organisational habits and natural cleaners. Lynsey aims to share what she's learned to help you take the stress out of everyday life, so you can focus on what brings you joy.

Declutter: The get-real guide to creating calm from chaos

Declutter: The get-real guide to creating calm from chaos

Kyle Books amazon.co.uk

£8.99

Described as bursting with practical and relatable advice, this book injects enthusiasm, energy and humour into the essential and often mundane task of decluttering. Debora Robertson also helps you declutter your mind for an easier and more efficient life.

Banish Clutter Forever: How the Toothbrush Principle Will Change Your Life

Banish Clutter Forever: How the Toothbrush Principle Will Change Your Life

Banish Clutter Forever's Toothbrush Principle is a simple approach to decluttering your home – whether you live in a huge house or a small flat. It will show you how to: organise according to the unconscious blueprint that naturally tidy people have, know what to throw away with confidence, set up your wardrobe so you get much more use out of the clothes you have, and work from home productively in a clear, designated space.

Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul

Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink And Soothe Your Soul

Stay on top of your cleaning routine with Sophie Hinchliffe – better known Mrs Hinch – and her book, Hinch Yourself Happy. Mrs Hinch shares how cleaning can soothe anxiety and stress, plus step-by-step guides to hinching your home.

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When to Take Christmas Decorations Down 2019

Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a25690686/when-to-take-christmas-tree-down/