When Should You Take Down Your Christmas Tree?

Many people have asked the question and have debated the answer about when to take down their Christmas tree and put away their Christmas decorations.

Families put up their Christmas trees at different times before the holiday. Some people put their trees up as early as the first day after Thanksgiving. Others might wait until Christmas Eve to put their trees up and decorate them. Just as people have different times to put up their Christmas trees, it stands to reason that they also have different times to take them down.

Some people like to decorate their houses early and leave the tree and decoration up long after the holiday is over because it took them time, energy and money to get the look that brought them pleasure. So, what do the experts say about the ideal time to take down a Christmas tree?

Which Date?

Admittedly, it is more to put up a Christmas tree and decorate it than to take it down and store the decorations for another year. There is no set rule for taking down a Christmas tree, but there are traditions that people follow. Some people make it a habit to take down their tree on January 1 before they return to work after their Christmas break.

Back in the 4th century, many people pinpointed the end of the Christmas season 12 nights after Christmas. They came up with that date because it marks the celebration of Epiphany, the day when the wise men visited baby Jesus in Bethlehem. That means your Christmas tree should be down by January 6th, according to experts.

While there is no set time, there are several dates that people have tossed around. It might be the first day after Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day or whenever you have time to do it.

Legend

There is a legend that it is unlucky to keep a Christmas tree in your house after Epiphany because tree spirits will come to live there as well in other live greenery. Even though this is just a legend, some people who are superstitious make sure their Christmas tree and other greenery that beautified their house during the twelve days of Christmas are thrown out so the tree spirits can be released back into the wild.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that taking down your Christmas tree is a personal preference just as it was to put it up. You should take down your Christmas tree whenever you are ready and when it is convenient for you and your family. Even though some people dread taking down their Christmas tree, they feel much better after they do. Christmas trees can dry out and become a fire hazard after they have been up for about five weeks. Therefore, the date you should take your tree down depends a lot on when you put it up.

How to Dispose of Your Christmas Tree

There are several things you can do with your Christmas tree after you take it down. If it is an artificial tree, you can disassemble it and pack it away in a box. Then you can put the box in the attic or basement out of your way until the next year.

If you have a live Christmas tree, there are several ways to get rid of it. Many communities have curbside service to pick up trees. This method seems to be the most convenient for most households. The service is available only on certain days. Therefore, check with your local curbside service for times and requirements.

There may also drop off recycling centers in your area. Home Depot is a recycling center in some areas. The store collects Christmas trees free of charge. Just drop off your live Christmas tree and let the store recycles it for you.

If you have been putting up a live Christmas tree for many years, you probably already have a favorite way to dispose of it.