Want to Avoid Bad Luck? Here’s Apparently When You Should Take Down Your Christmas Tree 🎄

After weeks of twinkly lights, cozy vibes, and pretending you enjoy untangling extension cords, the holidays eventually demand payment: cleanup.

The ornaments must be wrapped. The lights must be wrestled back into their bins. And the Christmas tree… well, she’s had a good run.

But when is the right time to take it down? Is there a magical deadline? A superstition? A point where your tree officially goes from festive to concerning?

Good news: there’s more than one acceptable answer. Bad news: folklore has opinions.

January 5 or 6: The Traditionalist’s Choice

If you’re emotionally not ready to let go, history is on your side.

For centuries, many Christians have marked Twelfth Night, the evening before Epiphany, as the official end of the Christmas season. Depending on how you count the days, that lands on January 5 or January 6.

Epiphany, also called Three Kings’ Day, commemorates the visit of the wise men to baby Jesus. Translation: the Christmas decorations have fulfilled their sacred duties and may now retire.

RELATED: Fake Christmas Trees Are Officially the Norm — Only 17% of People Are Still Team Real Tree 🎄✨

⚠️ Folklore warning: Leaving decorations up past Twelfth Night is said to invite bad luck. Is this true? Who knows. But do you really want to test the universe in January?

New Year’s Eve: Out With the Old (Tree)

If you’re staying in on New Year’s Eve anyway, this is prime “productive procrastination” territory.

Some people believe January 1 marks the official end of the holiday season, and that taking your tree down before midnight prevents last year’s chaos from following you into the new one.

Is this superstition scientifically proven? No.
Does it feel emotionally cleansing to start the year without pine needles in your socks? Absolutely.

When Your Tree Starts Looking… Suspicious

If you have a real tree, the answer may not be symbolic at all. It may be urgent.

Dry, brittle trees are a fire hazard, especially once January hits. When needles start turning brown, falling off, or crunching underfoot like nature’s confetti, it’s time.

Translation: when your tree looks more flammable than festive, it’s done.

So… Is There Actually a Right Time?

Short answer: Nope.

Long answer: Take it down when it works for you.

Right after Christmas? Valid.
Early January? Still fine.
Mid-January because life got busy? Totally normal.
Keeping it up because the lights spark joy, and winter is bleak? Honestly, relatable.

You put in the effort to decorate it. You’re allowed to enjoy it. Just maybe don’t let it turn into a dried-out fire hazard or a February “conversation piece.”

Bad luck or not, the real rule is simple: your house, your tree, your timeline. 🎄✨