When Should You Put Your Christmas Tree Up - Metro

Now it’s December, the countdown to Christmas has officially begun!

You might just be starting to feel a little festive – and given how celebrations have either been cancelled or curtailed over the past couple of years in the wake of lockdowns and the pandemic, you’d be forgiven for wanting to go all out this year.

Lights and decorations have already popped up in high streets across the country – and chances are you may even have watched a Christmas movie or popped on a festive tune or two to get into the yuletide spirit.

So, you’re wondering when it’s officially acceptable to put your Christmas tree up, or whether it’s unlucky to do it early, we’ve got everything you need to know.

When should you put up and take down your Christmas tree?

Tradition dictates that Christmas trees should be put up at the beginning of Advent – the fourth Sunday before Christmas.

This year, that fell on on Sunday, November 27.

It was previously deemed unlucky to put your tree up prior to this date, but other traditions claim erecting your tree more than 12 days before Christmas is unlucky, too.

Meanwhile, Roman Catholic tradition states that the tree shouldn’t put up until the afternoon of Christmas Eve.

However, putting your decorations up early can extend the excitement of the season and psychoanalysts have found it can have a positive effect on people’s moods.

Our advice? Crack out the decorations whenever you feel like it.

As for taking your tree down, this should traditionally be done on January 5 or 6, on what is known as the Twelfth Night.

In Christianity, Christmas celebrations last 12 days, although some count the days from Christmas Day and others on Boxing Day, which is why the final day is contested.

Tradition dictates that having decorations up after this date is unlucky.

And then of course, some people just keep their decorations up all year round.

How long do Christmas trees last?

With a little bit of care, a real pine tree can last for over four weeks, which means it’s prime time to buy yours in.

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The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) recommend buying trees at the beginning of December.

Is it unlucky to put your Christmas tree up early?

Traditionally, Christmas trees and decorations were not put up until Christmas Eve – and in the past having the tree up earlier or later than these dates was considered bad luck.

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Nowadays, most people put their decorations up far earlier without any consequence.

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