One of my dear friends has decided to take her Christmas tree down on December 27th. Her idea as she explains, is that doing so allows her to think freely, with clarity and with an ability to basically breathe anew in a fast approaching new year.
I, on the other hand, have been rooted in a household where the tree went NOWHERE until Jan 6th – on the 12th day of Christmas, and you didn't dare to mention sooner! As did Joe having been raised in Germany where traditions run deep, deliberate, and are meticulously carried on by each new and upcoming generation.
And as folklore would have it for many of us, no matter where we grew up, there’s also the common belief that taking the Christmas tree down any earlier would bring a year of bad luck. So there’s that!
A GERMAN TRADITION
What Joe remembers of his German tradition as a kid, is that on Jan 6th, Epiphany, or also known in Germany as "Three Kings Day", the alter boys from the church in his village being dressed fully as the three wise men, collected door to door for charity and famine relief needs. The kings would then write with chalk on the wall or the front door of those homes they had visited, the Roman numerals of Jan 6 and the year in blessing the home. He remembers seeing some years, that the previous year’s visit hadn’t yet been removed from the wall. But in recent years, that seems to have shifted a bit, in that what is now chalked on the wall/door, or by way of a removable decal, is the year in standard numbers, along with the first initials of the three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Hence the "C.M.B." of the blessing left over the doorway. I SO love these German traditions!
We’re also told that now tho, and can only guess due to the churches with dwindling congregations over the years, the three kings can be anyone from the church who volunteers. With sometimes, a 'welcome schnapps' involved in that visit. In a village of approx 2000, where all are mostly known to one another and in their steeped traditions, it becomes a community thing. How fun is that?! And the overall tradition meant to commemorate the arrival of the three kings bearing gifts in the birth of Christ, and closing out the 12 days of Christmas. Also worthy of mentioning, "Three Kings Day" is also a public holiday in some German states.
SO WHEN IS THE EXACT DAY TO TAKE DOWN THE TREE?
The whole discussion of it all tho, got me to thinking – is there really a right or wrong time to take down the Christmas tree?
For some, the twinkling lights in the serenity of the season is the comfort they need as they so enjoy the holidays as long as possible. They can’t get them up soon enough and can’t keep them up long enough. And I so get that!
For others, the need to ring in the new year clutter-free with the clean slate of a new beginning, is what works best for them. Christmas is a wonderful and magical time of year that we so love, but it can also be busy and hectic, and for some of us, and particularly for those of us who work from home needing the order, when it’s over, it’s over! And I so get that too!
AND THEN THERE'S THIS - HOW EARLY YOU STARTED DECORATING!
I suppose that if our home had been decorated since Dec 1st and with our live tree, given its lifespan of approx. 4-5 weeks and depending on how long it had even already sat cut before we bought it, our by then lifeless tree would technically have had to go out the door and to the curb by Dec 21st. . So in a sense, any time after Christmas Day couldn't be early enough!
But this year, Joe and I got a late start on all! Our daughter is away this year so trying to coordinate all with her exams and travel time saw us behind. But the thought of decorating without her didn’t sit well with us either, so we waited for her for much of it. By the time she unpacked, got settled back into her room, our taking the time to catch up a bit, the live tree only had 5 days with us until Christmas. And for me, that was beyond extremely short! So imagine my shock when in Germany one Christmas, the tree was decorated only on Christmas Eve Day, and bought only the day before! And at $115 CAD then, and that was 15 years ago, you want to get the most enjoyment possible from it. But then again, in getting your live tree only the day before Christmas, you can afford to keep it up until Jan 6th if so inclined.
AND SOME YEARS LATER THAN OTHERS
Covid ’20 or ’21 was the year that I left the artificial trees and all lights up until March or April! I was needing the distraction and comfort. I couldn’t bear to remove all and be right back into the bleak reality of Covid with a long winter ahead of us spent indoors. That year, our winter was made a little less unbearable, thanks to our Christmas decorations. I just left it ALL up!!
SO WHEN THEN?
So when, then, is the exact day that you should take down your Christmas tree?
Leading me to this – I'm not so sure there is one!
As whatever your traditions, whatever your beliefs - religious or other, whatever brings clarity of mind, organized thoughts and work spaces - whatever brings peace and comfort to you, and is best for you, I believe, is what is best for you. ♥
With lasting memories made of a wonderful Christmas 2025 spent, we will soon be taking it all down if not down already for some, and buckling in for a cold and nasty winter with thoughts already eagerly moving on to spring blossoms, grill evenings on the deck, yard work, and very possibly, a lit tree still in it all somewhere! 🌲
So until next year, and when we will do it all again,
Wishing you and yours all the blessings of a new year filled with new beginnings, good health and much prosperity!! ♥
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Next up: A Barley Toy Christmas in true Maritime Canada fashion...
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