By the time we finally get our Christmas trees up and beautifully decorated, some of us wish we could leave them up all year. But as enchanting as those twinkly lights can be, once the last presents have been unwrapped, it’s time to think about when to take that tree down. While some folks can’t wait to drag their empty pine to the curb or pack it up in a box until next December, many of us are happy to put this chore off as long as possible.
When it comes to taking the Christmas tree down, some people pick a date for superstitious reasons, others for religious reasons, and some just do it on a date that’s most convenient for them. These Are three of the most popular dates to take the tree down and the reason behind them.
- December 31st - Taking your Christmas tree down on New Year’s Eve before the ball drops at midnight could be good luck. Some believe that if you don’t, you’ll drag all of your baggage and bad luck from the past year into the new year. So if you’re superstitious, this may be the date for you.
- January 5th - This is traditionally considered the Twelfth Day of Christmas, as in the last of 12 days of merriment. You could think of taking your tree down on this date as getting closure on the holiday season.
- January 6th - Some take their Christmas tree down on this date in observance of the Epiphany, a Christian holiday “marking the revelation of God in human form in the person of Jesus.” Some people believe that leaving your tree up past the 6th brings bad luck.
Source: She Knows