When should christmas decorations come down

When To Take Christmas Tree Down & Decorations: Twelfth Night

Photography: Polly Wreford / Styling: Marianne Cotterill / Direction: Sarah Keady

When should you 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 2022 – and the dates depend on tradition. Be warned though: leaving your Christmas 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.

Read more: The best Christmas tree storage to buy – and the best storage solutions for all your decorations

House Beautiful/Dan Duchars

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.

House Beautiful/Mark Scott

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.

What to do with your real Christmas tree

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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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When to Take Down Your Christmas Tree to Avoid Bad Luck – SheKnows

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We wish we could keep our Christmas trees up year-round. No room will ever feel cozier than when it’s filled with garland, twinkling lights and of course, a decorated tree. There’s something about walking into a room and smelling the citrusy aroma of a pine tree or having twinkly lights on in the evenings that makes us extraordinarily reluctant to leave this one piece of Christmas behind.

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Alas, Christmas is over, and the time to take down our beautifully decorated, delightful-smelling trees is fast approaching. Although some people (perhaps a Scrooge?) are thrilled to get an oversize plant out of their house, many of us feel quite sad about letting go of the tree. We’re happy to put it off for as long as possible — maybe even a little too long.

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Before you decide to get rid of the tree, it’s a good idea to check with your city to see if there are any restrictions for throwing out a tree or if they have scheduled pickup dates for them. Now, you’ve decided to clear the room of all Christmas cheer (insert crying emoji here) and all that’s left to do is pick a date. Some people choose dates for superstitious reasons, some for religious reasons and some just pick a date that’s most convenient for them (usually sometime in February). Here are three of the most popular dates to take down the tree:

Dec. 31: Take your tree down on New Year’s Eve before the bells toll at midnight. Otherwise, it’s said you’ll be dragging all your baggage and bad luck from last year into the new year… if you’re superstitious about these things, that is.

Jan. 5: Take your tree down on this day, traditionally considered the Twelfth Day of Christmas — i.e., the last of 12 days of Christmas merriment. Think of it as getting closure on the holiday season.

Jan. 6: Take it down on Jan. 6 in observance of the Epiphany, a Christian holiday marking the revelation of God in human form in the person of Jesus. Again, some would say leaving your tree up beyond the 5th or 6th brings bad luck.

Of course, taking down the tree and properly storing all of those ornaments and lights requires a few key products. Here are some of our favorite holiday organizers to help make this year’s tree take-down and next year’s tree assembly a breeze.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. QVC is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Christmas Tree Bag

Image: Bethlehem Lights.

This is such an affordable way to store and protect your tree. The bag is ultra-durable so even if you’re storing this somewhere like an outdoor shed, your tree will be just fine.

Christmas Tree Bag $64 Buy now

Ornament Storage Box

Image: Zober.

There’s nothing more disappointing than finding a broken ornament when you go to put your tree up. Keep all of your favorite ornaments safe and sound in this festive storage box .

Ornament Storage Box $34.99 Buy now

Light Storage Reels

Image: Zober.

Save yourself hours of untangling time by wrapping your lights around one of these Christmas light reels. They will keep your lights from getting all bunched up and once you’ve got them wrapped around the reels, you can stack the reels in the protective bag that comes with them.

Christmas Light Reels $32.99 Buy now

A version of this article was originally published in December 2015.

What is the last day of Christmas Catholic?

ends the Christmas season with an epiphany?

The Christmas season ends on the feast of the baptism of the Lord , a feast usually celebrated on the Sunday after epiphany. Although epiphany is not a separate season, the normal form has a special mass that is used from epiphany.

How long is the Catholic Christmas season 2020?

The Christmas season begins with evening prayer on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2019) and ends with evening prayer on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 12, 2020). Regular time starts after evening prayer on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 12, 2020) until Ash Wednesday (February 26, 2020).

Is Candlemas the end of Christmas?

in France, Belgium and Swiss Romaine, Candlemas (French: La Chandeleur) is celebrated in churches on February 2nd. This is also considered the day of Crªpes. … Tradition also says that the manager's scenes should not be eliminated until the canlema, which is the last holiday of the Christmas cycle.

What is the name of the last day of Christmas?

Twelfth Night (also known as Eviphany Eve) is a festival in some branches of Christianity that takes place on the last night of the twelve days of Christmas, celebrating the coming of epiphany.

What happens during epiphany?

Epiphany is a Christian holiday, primarily celebrating the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist . Oriental traditions commonly referred to as celebratory theophany focus on the baptism of Jesus, seen as a manifestation of Christ as fully human and fully divine.

What is the Sunday after Christmas called?

In Western Christianity, the first Sunday after Christmas is called "First Sunday of Christmas". Christmas Sunday usually coincides with the "Sunday after Christmas" of the holiday that celebrates King David, Saint Joseph (who is called "Joseph the betrothed"), and James, the brother of the Lord.

special clothes worn at Christmas?

In the United States, no special clothing is worn at Christmas, although some may wear a special outfit or a Santa hat as a personal choice.

What special foods are eaten at Christmas?

Traditional Christmas dinner with stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, sauce, cranberry sauce and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef or ham are also used. For dessert, pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding or fruit hulls are staples.

How many weeks is Catholic Christmas?

While Christians of many denominations observe this period, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the four weeks leading up to Christmas with many special rites to prepare for the coming of Christ. This time of year is regularly referred to as "holidays" when they are truly holy days.

When should you take off your Christmas decorations?

Twelfth night is often seen as the standard time to take off your jewelry. Christian tradition dates back to the 4th century and marks the end of Christmas and the eve of Epiphany. It is believed that many people have many people down before the end of the standard holiday season.

How is Christmas observed?

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. … Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, going to church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

How long does insight last?

Note that since the date of Easter changes each year, the epiphanyantid or "season after Epiphany" can last from 40 to 63 days . So for a few years, the last few Sundays, the epiphanies don't happen.

How old was Jesus in epiphany?

The baptism of Jesus was originally scheduled on the same day as the birth because Luke 3:23 was misread to mean that Jesus was exactly 30 when he was baptized. Epiphanius of Salamis says that January 6 is “the birthday of Christ; that is, his insight” (Gemer Genetlion Tutestin Epiphanion).

What is used for insight?

It is traditional to eat a special cake called "Rosca de Reyes" (Three Kings) . The figure of baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake. Whoever has baby Jesus in their slice of cake is Jesus' godfather this year. … In Italy, some children also receive their epiphany gifts.

When should I remove my Christmas tree, 2021?

Twelfth Night is a festival in some branches of Christianity that marks the beginning of epiphany. Counting exactly 12 days from December 25th arrives at January 5th. According to England, this day is the twelfth night. Day of insight - when the three wise men came - the day after January 6, .

When should the Christmas decorations come down in 2021?

If you want to avoid bad luck, all your decorations and your Christmas tree must be dismantled at Jan 5 - or Jan 6 at the absolute latest.

What is the Christmas color for 2021?

Colors in style for Christmas 2021

As said, along with the classic red and gold, 2021 Christmas decoration trends, following the fashion trends. Thus, the most fashionable colors of the festive season 2021 are red, gold, beige and brown shades, pink, orange, purple, green and blue.

does Christmas Day change?

Christmas is celebrated across the UK on 25 December and is one of the most active holidays across the country. But to a large extent, the holiday has become quite secularized and commercialized. …

What is the best day for Christmas at Christmas?

Although the calendar places Jesus' birthday in December
…
Christmas should always be on a Wednesday: columns

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When Christmas falls on Sunday%2c, it creates problems for churches.
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Lesson topic: "Christmas in England"

Targets:

Acquisition of knowledge about the culture of the country of the language being studied, about the celebration of Christmas in Great Britain;
Education of tolerance and respect for culture and traditions of other countries.

Equipment:

PC, video projector, “Jingle Bells” audio recorder, plot pictures in the presentation “Power Point”, printouts of texts, Christmas decorations, dishes that can be prepared from section "Christmas menu".

Many original, national preserved in traditional calendar English holidays. Particularly rich in rituals winter holiday cycle.

For all their reticence, the English like to souls to have fun. They can sincerely to rejoice, it would seem, even insignificant events. What can I say when they start holidays.

Christmas is the grandest in its own way scope among all holidays.

This is a Christian holiday dedicated to Birth of Jesus Christ. His celebration based on biblical events described in New Testament. These events have been going on for over two thousand years inspired many artists, poets and musicians.

Everyone agrees that Christmas should be the funniest and brightest event of the year. It is impossible not admire the fantasy with which they decorate Christmas at home, offices, shops and streets. House, decorated for Christmas, often becomes owner's pride. neighbors compete with each other - who will do it better and richer. In an unbridled carnival of colors dominated by two traditional colors - red and green. Green Christmas trees (Christmas Trees) or branches evergreens adorned with red ribbons, lanterns and bells, are invariable attributes of Christmas.

Christmas is a family holiday. On this day children living separately from their parents, come to them if they do not have their own family. In all schools and colleges are provided Christmas Holidays.

Before Christmas, houses are full of joy waiting atmosphere. Of course, the most children are worried. They can't wait to know when can be obtained from the beautiful christmas sock gifts good santa Claus: sweets, nuts, fruits and some toy.

Of course, parents are happy to support their children faith in a cheerful old man, a prototype which is a real person - a Saint Nikolay. In English, the name is St. Nicholas, who then transformed into Santa Claus. St Nicholas was the bishop of the city of Mira in the 4th century. Legend says that he gave money to poor people secretly from them. One day he climbed onto the roof of the house and threw into the fireplace through the chimney a purse with money. Wallet fell into a sock that the girl hung up dry by the fire. This legend may explain the faith of young Englishmen that Santa came down through the chimney above the fireplace, leaves gifts for them under tree and in a sock. Children write letters to Santa in advance Klaus, in which they tell him what gifts they would like to get. These letters are not thrown into mailbox, but they burn it in the fireplace, believing that Santa Klaus will "read" the smoke from the letters coming out of the chimney.

All pre-holiday turmoil subsides in the evening 24 December. Believers are preparing for the solemn Christmas Service, which begins at midnight. Others just get together to congratulate each other and drink a glass of wine in holiday honor. Already at 11 pm you are not you will not find a single open store. All freezes on the eve of Christmas.

Christmas is a holiday that gave birth a large number of symbols and traditions.

Christmas wreath. Christmas candles.

4 weeks before Christmas, believers bring special wreath - Advent Wreath. Unlike simple wall-mounted Christmas wreaths, this one is placed on table and fix 4 candles on it, which are lit every Sunday, but not at the same time, but on queues - first one, then two, and so on. AT the last Sunday before Christmas is lit all four candles, symbolizing the light that will come into the world with the birth of Christ. In many countries Christmas candles mean victory light over darkness.

Houses are often decorated with holly branches. Glossy bright red berries and dark green the leaves of this plant fit well into the general christmas palette. Hanging in doorways mistletoe branches tied with ribbons. it lovers especially like it, because, according to custom, people of the opposite sex, by chance those under the mistletoe are obliged to kiss.

Christmas cards.

One of the Christmas traditions is Christmas postcards on which you can see either Santa Klaus, or scenes of the birth of Jesus Christ, or village scenes of the last century with snowy landscapes, although snow at Christmas is a phenomenon quite rare in many parts Great Britain.

Drawn the first Christmas card Englishman Horsley in 1843. 1000 copies postcards were sold that year in London.

New rail system thanks to which improved and accelerated postage, made communication revolution in the 19th century and redefined the possibilities communication is like e-mail nowadays.

A with improved printing production popularity christmas postcards increased even more, because there was a great opportunity to congratulate their relatives and friends.

Last year UK Post sent over 100 million postcards daily during the three weeks leading up to Christmas.

Lights

Earlier during the celebration of Christmas one of the main dangers were Christmas candles. Therefore, buckets of water were kept in the living rooms in case fire. Ideas to use electrical garlands instead of wax candles belongs to English telephone operator Ralph Morris. Besides filaments of light bulbs already used in telephone distribution shields. It only occurred to Morris to hang them up. on the tree.

Decorations

The first Christmas trees were decorated fresh flowers and fruits. were later added sweets, nuts and other food. Then - christmas candles. Such a load was certainly too heavy for wood. To replace fruits and other heavy jewelry, German glassblowers began to produce hollow glass Christmas trees toys that are still the most a popular decoration for the Christmas tree.

Generally all Christmas decorations removed January 6th. They say to keep them longer - Bad sign.

Christmas tree

It is believed that the first undecorated Christmas trees appeared in Germany in the VIII century. The first mention of spruce is associated with a monk Saint Boniface. Boniface read to the Druids sermon about Christmas. To convince idolaters that oak is not sacred and an untouchable tree, he cut down one of oaks. When the felled oak tree fell, it fell on all the trees on their way, except for a young spruce. Boniface presented the survival of the spruce as a miracle and exclaimed: “Let this tree be a tree Christ."

In the 17th century, the Christmas tree was already common attribute of Christmas Scandinavian countries. At that time the tree decorated with figurines and flowers carved from paper, apples, wafers, gilded gizmos. The tradition of decorating the Christmas tree is associated with tree of paradise hung with apples.

Its popularity in England Christmas the tree is indebted to Prince Albert, the Queen's husband Victoria.

The Christmas tree has entered into wide use relatively recently - in the second half of the XIX century.

Christmas sales

Christmas is the only time very frugal Englishmen are generously spent on gifts to relatives and friends. And so before holiday unfolds a whole christmas industry. Officially “purchase period” starts at the end of November, when on London's main shopping street Oxford Street Christmas lights are on. English carefully consider in advance to whom and what give a gift and where to buy it. For gifts they can even get into debt to the bank. And not because they buy something especially expensive, and just trying not to forget anyone. There are even a special credit system that works just around Christmas. But most of all they try English grandparents. They are ready for anything for the purchase of an unusual desired gift for beloved grandchildren. There have been cases where the elderly ladies and gentlemen as real detectives guarded at the gates of the toy factory truck with new product and followed it all the way shop.

The constant companion of Christmas is winter sales. After the majority the British spent money on gifts, Stores are losing customers. That's why they deploy a company to reduce the price of their goods. Red stickers with the word "Sale", which means “Sale” appear in shop windows since mid-December. markdown goods up to 50% at the beginning of the sale reaches 75% in end. Biggest department store discounts provided on December 26-27, right after Christmas. And it is very pleasant and beneficial for those who give gifts for the New Year, and especially for Russians tourists who buy whole suitcases of toys, causing bewilderment of sellers Because next Christmas is only a year away. AT that there is a country celebrating Christmas 7 January in England they do not believe, although they nod their heads from courtesy.

From November to January most British stores make half of their annual revenue.

The flagship of the London and generally British supermarkets are considered Harrod's. they say there is people who are just looking at his windows spent several days. Here's where it's for sale really everything. And what truly pleases the English, that “staff work until they are the last whim of the last is satisfied client." In London it is customary to start sales on Saturday, but Harrod's announces them for half a week later - on Wednesday - without any doubt in own superiority. And does it the first time daily revenue equal to monthly turnover. Department “World Christmas, where you can buy gifts and Christmas decorations, located on the third floor seven-story shopping center. total area “Peace Christmas” is 930 square meters. Visiting the Christmas sales Harrod's has become a London tradition over the years.

Christmas menu

lunch. On this day, every hostess tries to you can better demonstrate your culinary skills ability, that's why, according to the poet Jack Drelutsky, “Christmas is a time for overeating." There is a funny custom in England: before sitting at the table people clap kind of slapstick. It contains a small souvenir and a comic message.

For many centuries, the inhabitants The British Isles at Christmas was special porridge - “Plumb porridge”, boiled in meat broth. AT bread crumbs, raisins, almonds, prunes, honey and served very hot.

By the beginning of the 3rd century, this name transformed into “Plumb pudding” - one of the main Christmas table food. It is also called “pudding on fire” - before serving the pudding on the table it is doused with cognac and set on fire. After such fireworks pudding seems even tastier.

Christmas pudding, like other famous English traditions, firmly entered the history and culture of England. He even became one of the central characters of English books! Here, for example, what Mrs. Ross from Detective Agatha Christie's "Kidnapping of the Royal ruby”:

“…A real Christmas pudding should be prepared a few weeks before holiday and lie in the cold; the longer it maintained - within reasonable limits, of course - the tastier it gets. I remember that when I was as a child and we went to church every Sunday then we always waited for a certain prayer, which served as a signal for start making puddings. AT Sunday a prayer was said, and no later next week my mother made sure to cook Christmas pudding. Everyone living in the house should were to come into the kitchen to stir the pudding and Make a wish. It's an old custom, sir, and I I always stick to it."

Another tradition is to put a coin in the pudding. It is believed that the wish will come true for the one who finds a coin.

Traditional dishes are also butter cookies, shortbread cake, oatmeal tortillas, roast turkey or goose. cut the game and arrange it on plates - a duty men.

Drinks on the table are dominated by beer - pale light ale and strong black porter.

Exactly 12 days after Christmas, January 6, start taking off the jewelry. Everything gradually returns to its normal rhythm. a little sad say goodbye to Christmas.