November 30th 2023

According to tradition, Christmas trees should be put up at the start of Advent – the fourth Sunday before Christmas – which this year begins on December 3. Which brings me to my next question – do you know when to take down your tree? Again, according to tradition it’s the Twelfth Night of Christmas which makes it January 5 if you count Christmas Day as day 1. Superstition says that if you take it down any other day you’ll bring bad luck into your home, and that if you miss the Twelfth Night you have to leave your decorations up for the rest of the year (not my ideal, but I have a friend who would LOVE this)!

Of course, the timing for putting up and taking down your Christmas decorations is not set in stone. Really it comes down to what suits you. My tree goes up on December 1 at the very earliest, otherwise I get festive fatigue, but if you live for Christmas then you really can unpack it whenever you want.

I always take mine down some time between New Year’s Day and January 7. I love having the tree around for NYE for the extra little bit of sparkle it brings, but Carly has a January birthday so I make sure I take it down to give her celebration full attention!

Which might leave you with one last question. How will I be theming my Christmas tree and table this year? Well, this year I’m moving away from the traditional glitz and tinsel for something a little more textural and rustic. Think natural foliage like fir and eucalyptus, organic feeling linens, festive food as decorations, and edible table settings. Of course, there will be a little gold and silver spray paint here and there, and who can resist a fairylight? But on the whole, everything is going to have a very merry, stylish, hand-made feel.

When do you put your tree up, and when do you take it down, and has this changed over time? And what’s your Christmas theme this year?