Christmas decorations typically come down on Epiphany (January 6th) or right after that day. This is an old tradition that was historically observed in the Catholic Church, however it has become a secular tradition for many.
The decorations typically include a Christmas tree, lights, cards, and tinsel.
Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus and is a sign of the end of the holiday season. While many families take down their decorations on January 6th, some wait until the weekend; or until Candlemas or Little Christmas (January 17th and 18th respectively).
Others prefer to keep their decorations up until the end of January or even earlier, as the festive mood could linger until February. Ultimately, it’s up to each family to decide when the right time is for them to take down the decorations.
When officially do Christmas decorations come down?
In many parts of the world, it is customary to take down Christmas decorations after the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany, which is also known as Three Kings’ Day and is celebrated 12 days after Christmas on January 6th.
In Latin American countries, the decoration may remain up until the eve of El Día de los Reyes Magos, the evening when children receive their presents from the Three Kings. In some cultures, decorations are traditionally taken down on Candlemas Day, which commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple and is celebrated on February 2nd.
For others, such as Eastern Orthodox Christians, many do not remove Christmas decorations until the beginning of the Great Lent in March, which marks the beginning of the penitential season before Easter.
Ultimately, when you take down your decorations is up to you and your family customs.
Why do you leave your Christmas tree up until January 6th?
I leave my Christmas tree up until January 6th because it is the traditional date of the Epiphany or the Three Kings Day in the Christian religion. The holiday is believed to mark the day when the Three Magi or the Three Kings visited Baby Jesus.
By leaving the tree up until January 6th, I am honoring this tradition and also making sure decorations don’t have to come down too early. Additionally, in some cultures January 6th is celebrated as the Feast of the Epiphany, so I usually take the opportunity to gather with family and friends to celebrate the bringing of gifts to Jesus by the Three Kings.
It is also a great time for warmth and conversation, reminiscing on the past year and what’s to come.
Is 12th night the 5th or 6th of January?
Twelfth Night is celebrated on January 5th or 6th, depending on what your traditions are. The history behind this festival is to honor the arrival of the three kings to Bethlehem, to mark the end of the Christmas season.
Traditionally, the celebration is marked by feasting, drinking, and revelry. Twelfth Night marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and the start of the pre-Lenten season of Epiphany, which runs to Ash Wednesday.
In some traditions, January 5th is the Night of the Epiphany and January 6th is the Twelfth Night or the Feast of the Three Kings. In other parts of the world, the 5th is known as the Twelfth Night and the 6th as the Epiphany.
The observances for each night vary depending on which day is celebrated.
Is January 6th considered little Christmas?
No, January 6th is not considered little Christmas. January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Theophany or Three Kings’ Day. This day marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas, and commemorates the biblical event in which the three wise men, or magi, visited Jesus after he was born in Bethlehem.
It is a Christian holiday, and does not have any relation to the American holiday of Christmas.
When should I take my Christmas tree down 5th or 6th?
The traditional answer to when you should take your Christmas tree down is the 12th day of Christmas, which usually falls on January 5 or 6 depending on the year and the religious tradition you follow.
However, the length of time a Christmas tree should stay up is really up to personal preference and a matter of time and resources. Keep in mind that most Christmas trees will start to dry out and lose some of their needles and branches as the season wears on, so you may want to take your tree down and dispose of it before it starts looking a bit ragged.
Additionally, if you live in a warmer climate or if you’re concerned about the fire hazard posed by having a dried-out Christmas tree in your home, you may want to take it down sooner. Ultimately, it’s your decision, so take your tree down when you’re ready and enjoy the Christmas season for as long as you’d like!.
Can I leave my Christmas decorations up until February?
It is totally up to you! Ultimately, it is your home and your choice on how long you would like to keep your Christmas decorations up. Considerations to bear in mind though: there will inevitably come a point at which leaving them up will become more of a hassle than a pleasure.
This is particularly true if you do not have storage for the decorations, or if you have a house-mate(s) who has/have expressed discomfort about the decorations staying up past the holiday season. It is also important to bear in mind that keeping your decorations up until February may potentially clash with the decorations of the next celebration in the calendar – Valentine’s Day.
Depending on how prominent your Christmas decorations are, a Valentine’s Day “theme” might appear a little strange. Finally, while it is perfectly acceptable to want to prolong the “Christmas spirit”, it is also important to remember that the Christmas season has its own natural endpoint, and that while we don’t want to “rush” it, this is also a season that should not be “stretched”.
Why do people wait until January 6 to take down Christmas decorations?
People wait until January 6 to take down Christmas decorations because it is known as the Feast of the Epiphany, or the Twelfth Day of Christmas. During the Middle Ages, it was believed that it was bad luck to remove decorations before the Epiphany.
The holiday celebrates the Three Magi, or wise men, coming to pay homage to the baby Jesus. Taking down the decorations is seen as the end of the Christmas holiday season and many people consider this day to be the “official” end of the Christmas celebration.
Today, for many, it is customary to take down all of the Christmas decorations on this day or shortly afterward.
Why are Christmas lights still up in January?
Many people choose to keep their Christmas lights up in January or even beyond. One reason is that it takes time to take down the lights and many people are too busy during the end of the year with holiday preparation and festivities to take them down before January.
Additionally, the lights bring a sense of joy and holiday cheer that some may feel the need to keep alive. Furthermore, many spiritual and religious traditions hold the belief that the lights should be left up until the twelfth day of Christmas, which is January 6th.
Lastly, some people may choose to keep their lights up longer to enjoy as a winter decoration to avoid having to put special decorations up for winter. Regardless of how long someone keeps their lights up, it is always a great sight to see and enjoy the beauty of the holiday lights.
What happens when Christmas Day falls on a weekend?
When Christmas Day falls on a weekend, the holiday may be observed on either the preceding Friday or the following Monday. This ensures that workers get a paid day off on either the Friday or the Monday, thus giving them an extended weekend.
Government holidays usually start on the evening before and extend through the day, meaning schools and businesses are closed. Those who have religious beliefs may wish to celebrate Christmas on Sunday rather than on the rescheduled day and attend services as normal.
For example, in 2020, Christmas Day was on a Friday, but some businesses observed the holiday on Thursday, December 24th, and some on Monday, December 28th.
Is it bad luck to take Christmas tree down before New Years?
No, it is not bad luck to take your Christmas tree down before New Years. The tradition of having a Christmas tree originated in Germany during the 16th century. Since then, many different cultures have adopted the idea of having a evergreen tree in their homes during the Christmas season.
Most cultures set the tree up around the end of November to the beginning of December and will then take it down before the New Year. This symbolizes the end of the Christmas season and is not considered to be bad luck in any way.
How to decorate for winter not Christmas?
Decorating for winter without going all-out Christmas can be done in several different ways. You could focus on themes of winter, such as snow or snowflakes, or themes of the season like holidays or cold weather.
Here are some ideas of how to decorate your home without taking on the full Christmas decor:
• Hang lighted garlands of different wintery shapes like icicles, snowflakes, and stars.
• Add lights to your window frames or your doorway, or hang a string of lights around shrubs or the pathway to your doorway.
• Hang a snowflake wreath on the door or use a burlap version for a more rustic look.
• Scatter pillows, throws, or rugs in wintery colors such as white, blue, silver, and gray.
• Place pine cones, winter berries, or artificial snow around doorways and mantles.
• Put a new coat of paint on your walls in a wintery hue like blue, gray, or white.
• Use faux chandeliers for a wintery sparkle.
• Hang mistletoe and holly for a holiday vibe in non-Christmas colors.
• Or, if you’d like to keep with a non-Christmas theme, add elements of nature or other holidays. Place animals made of pine cones and artificial snow, or add plants and greenery like winter evergreens, white flowers, and artificial snowballs.
Display festive items such as knit stocking caps or mittens. You can even add Hanukkah or Kwanzaa elements if you’d like.
What can I replace Christmas decorations with?
If you’re looking for an alternative way to decorate for a special occasion or the holiday season, there are many options for replacing traditional Christmas decorations. For example, you could choose to put up decorations that focus on winter scenes, or opt for decorations that focus on the overall spirit of the season, such as snowflakes, wreaths, and strings of lights.
You could also look for decorations with a more modern aesthetic such as geometric shapes, metallic ornaments, or brightly colored paper ornaments. If you want to keep the traditional decorations you’ve always had, but perhaps with a few tweaks, you could opt for a new color palette or some DIY decorations, such as paper snowflakes and homemade wreaths.
You could also look for decorations inspired by nature, such as pine cones, branches, and garlands, to give your home a cozy, festive look. Alternatively, you could look for traditional decorations made of new materials and colors, such as burlap and shop-bought wreaths and stars, to create an up-to-date look.
However you choose to decorate, the right decorations can help you create the perfect feeling and atmosphere for the holiday season.
How can I decorate my living room without a Christmas tree?
Decorating your living room for the holiday season doesn’t have to center around a Christmas tree. There are lots of other fun and festive ways available to bring the spirit of the holidays into your home.
Depending on your style, you can go for a more minimalist or traditional look.
For a more easy, contemporary feel, opt for minimal holiday decorations like string lights, wreaths, and garlands. Place a long garland of greenery along the mantel of your fireplace or around a piece of artwork and top it off with votive candles, ornaments and small tinsel stars.
Hang simple string lights around the walls of the room and add glittery winter fruits such as apples, pinecones and oranges in baskets or vases.
For a more traditional look, go for festive holiday colors like deep reds, greens, and golds. Cover your walls, furniture and mantel in garlands of seasonal greenery and hang cheerful decorations. Place vases of freshly cut branches with holly berries to give your living room a bright and cheery atmosphere.
You could also use Christmas ornaments in creative ways – hang them from branches in tall vases or string them around your wall art pieces. Add pillar candles in seasonal colors on your mantelpiece or coffee table and top it off with festive ornaments.
No matter your style, there are lots of ways to decorate the living room in festive style for the holidays. With a bit of creativity, you can transform the space into a wonderfully warm and inviting nook.
How can I decorate my house in January?
January is a great time to refresh your house décor. One of the easiest is to add a few new pieces of wall art or a statement-making mirror. If you’re looking for a bigger update, you could swap out your accessories, like a rug or furniture, for a more contemporary look.
If you’re feeling extra creative, you could even DIY a project such as painting a mural, making a wall collage, or creating a unique centerpiece. For something more subtle, add decorative touches like a new houseplant or some cozy throw pillows.
Another idea is to add warm and welcoming touches to an entryway or hallway, like a bench with a few throw blankets and a decorative lantern. Don’t forget wintery themes, such as a snowflake wreath, candles in silver holders, or fresh branches with hanging icicles.
Finally, if you’re feeling daring, try a bold and bright color to revive a room or incorporate a statement wallpaper. With a few simple updates and key pieces, you will have a refreshed and vibrant home for the New Year.