When To Take Down a Christmas Tree

Have you ever visited a friend or neighbor at the end of January, or even February, and wondered why they haven’t taken down their Christmas tree?

Determining the “right” time to put away Christmas tree decorations is a contentious issue that can trigger family fights and lead neighbors to sit in judgement of others. Some may consider keeping a tree up well past Christmas inappropriate or tacky.

Whether you have a deep-seated family tradition about the perfect date to take down your real or artificial Christmas tree, or you seek answers based on science or religion, here are some guidelines to consider.

Popular Dates for Taking Down Christmas Trees

While there’s no set time to take down a Christmas tree, people tend to follow several popular dates.

“Many families take down their trees between December 26 and January 6 when people celebrate Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, as it marks the end of the Christmas season,” says Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer at Trendey. “Still, some individuals take down the tree on New Year’s Day to begin the new year fresh.”

Karen Musgrave of Hicks Nurseries in Westbury, New York says, “We’ve found that customers often fall into two categories: Those who want to take their tree down immediately after Christmas and those who want to keep it up until New Year’s Day or beyond.”

Here are some traditional dates for taking down a real or artificial Christmas tree:

Day after Christmas

Some people prefer to clean up right after the holiday and put away their Christmas tree and decorations on December 26.

New Year’s Day

For some, wishing someone a Happy New Year goes hand-in-hand with taking down holiday decorations.

According to Brandon Stephens, president of The Decor Group, which provides products, training and support in the holiday decorating and outdoor lighting industries, “Most people take down their tree on or around New Year’s Day.”

Twelfth Night

There are also several take-down-the-Christmas-tree dates based on religious guidance. The first one on the calendar is Twelfth Night, which takes place on January 5, or 12 days after Christmas.

Epiphany Sunday

Rev. Bradley A. Zamora, Catholic chaplain at Northwestern University and director of the Sheil Catholic Center, explains the significance of this day, traditionally January 6: “From the Catholic perspective, after four weeks of waiting during the season of Advent, Christmas to us is more than one day. Christmas is a full season, from Christmas Day until the celebration of the Epiphany.”

Although the Christmas tree isn’t the most important element of the season, he said it reminds Catholics of the reason for the season. Therefore, he advises people to leave the tree up until at least this date.

Candlemas

Keely Smith, interior designer at Home Stratosphere, says some people even wait until Candlemas, or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on February 2 to take down their tree. That’s 40 days after Christmas.

Ash Wednesday

Smith said that some Protestant churches keep decorations up until Ash Wednesday, typically in mid-February.

Factors to Consider for Taking Down the Christmas Tree

Besides specific dates and religious holidays, several other factors may influence when someone decides to take down their Christmas tree decorations.

Personal schedule

For some, it’s simply a time management issue.

“Some people have a busy schedule and must take their tree down sooner than later to get back to regular business,” says etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. “Others wait until after January 1. Certainly, the end of January is a loose deadline, and anything after that pushes the holiday tree takedown limit.”

Musgrave mentions some people keep their tree up longer if they have guests visit from out of town or host a party soon after the holiday to maintain the cheerful ambiance.

How long the tree lasts

When the tree starts to dry out and the needles drop on the floor, it’s time to take it down.

Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, suggests removing the tree before it becomes too dry. Keep in mind most Christmas trees last for about a month indoors before the holiday and two weeks after, but the exact time depends on several critical factors.

Recycling programs

If you’re participating in a local real Christmas tree recycling program after the holiday, you’ll need to take it down before the drop off period ends. Many tree recycling programs typically last into January, but check with your local government to find out the dates.

Fire safety

Staying safe is a major consideration. “If it’s a real tree, at some point, it becomes a safety hazard as the tree dries out,” Stephens says.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical problems cause almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires. Artificial trees can also be a fire hazard. According to Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, while most artificial trees are less flammable than real trees, artificial trees can still catch fire.

Etiquette

According to Gottsman and DelMonico, for generally accepted decorum, it’s best to take it down within several weeks after the holiday season ends.

Clean-up effort

DelMonico says removing a real Christmas tree can be messy, so it’s important to understand how much time and effort it will take to properly clean up the space after you take it down. This might factor into exactly when someone schedules a time to deal with this chore.

Sentimental value

Sentimental value can also impact when someone takes down the tree. As DelMonico says, “Some individuals might need to keep their tree up longer for sentimental reasons, like if it was a family tradition to let it up until a certain date.”

Living tree

If you’re using a live tree with roots attached so it can be replanted outside — aka a living Christmas tree —  there’s a limit to how long it can stay indoors. According to Fern Berg, founder of Tree Vitalize, keep it inside your house no more than two weeks.

How Long Is It OK To Leave the Christmas Tree Up?

If you’re still wondering when you should take your Christmas tree down, it’s really up to you and your family. No matter what you decide, stay safe and enjoy the holiday season!