People argue over when to take down Christmas decorations

Christmas has passed, 2026 has arrived, and, somewhat begrudgingly, it’s time to get back to normal. For the majority of Britons, this involves taking down our festive decorations and storing them away until next year.

But when exactly should decorations come down? Some superstitions suggest keeping decorations displayed beyond the 12th night after Christmas – either January 5 or 6, depending on whether you’re counting from Christmas Day or Boxing Day – could invite misfortune throughout the coming year. Some say they should be removed immediately after Christmas on Boxing Day, while others insist they ought to be cleared away before New Year’s Day, while others still keep them up well into January.

According to English Heritage, medieval custom dictated decorations weren’t taken down until February 2, coinciding with the Christian observance of Candlemas. Dr Michael Carter, English Heritage’s senior properties historian, clarifies: “Contrary to popular belief, the Christmas season actually continues right through to Candlemas on February 2 – so there’s no real reason why you should take your decorations down earlier.

“The tradition that it is bad luck to keep decorations up after Twelfth Night and the Epiphany is a modern invention, although it may derive from the medieval notion that decorations left up after Candlemas eve would become possessed by goblins!”

Reddit users have been debating the appropriate time to dismantle Christmas decorations, with opinions sharply divided on the CasualUK forum, reports the Mirror. One member posed the question: “When are you taking your festive décor down?” before asking: “Is there an official stance on this?”

Responses varied considerably. One contributor said: “Saturday 3rd. I was always brought up to bring it down on the 5th, but after two days back in the office, I can’t be bothered with that on Tuesday night. However, not having your decorations up on New Years is weird, couldn’t imagine having them down then.”

Another took a different approach, revealing: “It came down on 27th, I hate going into a New Year with last years’ chaos, so like to get it all tidied away and the house reset so we can go into the new year with a clean and clear space.”

However, one person whose birthday falls on January 6 preferred keeping decorations displayed for their celebrations, stating: “I keep my tree up until Lunar New Year because there are literally no laws about having cheerful twinkly lights in your home during the coldest, darkest months of the year. And guests in my home feel cheerful seeing it.”

They continued: “My tree is in an otherwise empty corner. It doesn’t block anything. I want my tree up for my birthday! I’ll take other decorations down when I feel like it.”

One frustrated user observed: “People in this country act like it’s illegal to leave your decorations up past 12th night! Yet put them up in October!

“I will be leaving mine up until sometime in early Feb. I like the cheery lights. January is dark and cold, why do we make it more miserable?”

Another person shared: “I keep my tree up all year and change the decorations per season.”

In response to this, another user said: “I did have one year after my divorce when I put up the Christmas decorations one day and then didn’t take them down for over a year. My home. My decorations. My business. My friends got used to it.”

One joked: “Never, saves putting it up again next year.”