Discover the Traditional Timing for Taking Down Your Christmas Tree

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The 12 days of Christmas actually tells you when to take down your tree too

The holiday season has officially come to an end, or has it? As the new year unfolds, many find themselves hesitating to dismantle their festive decorations. If you’re among those delaying the task of taking down your Christmas tree, rest assured, you’re not entirely in the wrong. According to tradition, the “proper” time to bid farewell to your tree is on the Feast of Epiphany, a celebration marking the official conclusion of the Christmas season.

Wondering how long to keep your tree up? Let’s delve into what tradition dictates and when most people typically pack away their holiday cheer, whether adhering to tradition or opting otherwise.

Featured in this article: ZOBER Christmas Ornament Storage Box, HOLDN’ STORAGE Christmas Ornament Storage Box, and HOLDN’ STORAGE Christmas Ornament Storage Container Box with Dividers

How long should you leave your Christmas tree up?

It might come as a surprise that the 12 days of Christmas, made famous by the beloved carol, actually commence on Christmas Day itself. These twelve days conclude on January 6, known as the Feast of Epiphany. This date is significant as it commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings, who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. Therefore, in Christian tradition, January 6 marks the end of the Christmas season, suggesting it’s the appropriate time to dismantle your tree and decorations. In fact, some adherents even consider it unlucky to leave decorations up beyond this date.

But there are other considerations to keep in mind. If you have a live tree, make sure to keep giving it plenty of fresh water as long as you keep it up. If you notice it getting dry and crispy or dropping a ton of needles, it could become a fire hazard, and it’s a good idea to take it down.

Beyond that, though, it’s largely a personal choice when you put the decor away. According to an Opendoor survey in 2022, 84% of people put away Christmas decorations sometime in January, with 51% taking them down on or around New Year’s Day. As for me, with a long, gray Chicago winter ahead of me? I’ll leave them up until spring because we can all use the extra cheer.

The best products for storing Christmas ornaments and decorations

ZOBER Christmas Ornament Storage Box

This extra-large storage container safely stores away up to 128 ornaments in cube compartments that protect them from breaking during the off-season.

HOLDN’ STORAGE Christmas Ornament Storage Box

These cube storage boxes can hold up to 64 ornaments each. They also have label inserts, so you can easily see what’s stored in each box.

HOLDN’ STORAGE Christmas Ornament Storage Container Box with Dividers

These drawer-style ornament storage boxes give you easy access to the ornaments stored in each layer.

ZOBER Christmas Wreath Storage Container

These zip-up containers safely store up to a 30-inch wreath, keeping it safe from dust, moisture and other dangers when not in use.

Balsam Hill 120-Piece Deluxe Rolling Ornament Storage Chest

This ornament storage bag holds up to 120 ornaments. It rolls on wheels, so you can easily move it to a closet or storage unit.

IRIS USA 2Pack 60qt Plastic Clear Ornament Storage Box

These storage boxes are made of clear plastic, allowing you to easily see the type of ornaments stored inside.

BROSYDA Christmas Tree Storage Bag

This waterproof storage bag can safely store away an artificial Christmas tree up to 9 feet tall.

ZOBER 9-Ft Large Christmas Tree Storage Bag

This extra-large waterproof storage bag can hold a 9-foot artificial tree weighing up to 50 pounds.

Homior Premium Wrapping Paper Organizer Storage

Trees and ornaments aren’t the only seasonal items in need of organized storage once the holidays are over. Neatly store away all of your wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, bags and those treasured wrapping scissors until next year with this organizer.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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