When Should You Take Down Your Christmas Decorations?

If your house is still feeling festive and you’re wondering whether it’s “too late” to take the decorations down — you’re not alone.

Traditionally, decorations are taken down on Twelfth Night, 5 January, which marks the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and is the eve of Epiphany.

Epiphany itself is on 6 January.

Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates either the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus or, in some traditions, Jesus’ baptism.

Many people believe it is bad luck to leave decorations up after Twelfth Night, which is why the 5th has become the most common day to pack everything away.

However, there is another older tradition. In medieval England, Christmas officially ended on Candlemas – 2 February. Decorations were sometimes left up for a full 40 days after Christmas, and Candlemas was marked by candlelit church services and the blessing of candles for the year ahead. English Heritage says the idea that it is “bad luck” to leave decorations up after Twelfth Night is actually a more modern belief.

So when should you take them down?

There’s no single “right” answer today. Modern households often choose what suits them best:

• Boxing Day

• Around New Year

• Twelfth Night – 5 January

• Candlemas – 2 February

Practical things to consider

If you have a real Christmas tree, it’s important to remember that dry trees can become a fire risk, so it’s best to remove them by mid-January. Local council recycling and collection dates can also influence when people take their decorations down.

Whether your decorations are already boxed away or still sparkling — it’s all down to personal preference.

Are yours still up, or have they come down already? 🎄