After you one way or the other handle to purchase everybody the best items and survive the seasonal shenanigans comes probably the most dreaded a part of winter—taking down the decorations. In case you’re already beginning to marvel when to take down the Christmas tree, put these worries to relaxation, as a result of there’s no have to rush the method of snapping again out of your post-holiday comedown.
Deciding when to pack up the Christmas decorations into cardboard packing containers and overlook about them till subsequent 12 months could be a level of competition in lots of households. Personally, I hate taking down the Christmas tree and I’m all the time doing no matter I can to hold onto the magic. Over time, my accomplice has been fairly the alternative, wanting to start out the New 12 months sturdy by starting with a totally recent slate. For him, rigorously eradicating every decoration and wrapping up each string mild is symbolic ritual that signifies a brand new chapter in life. Me? I already wish to return in time and relive Christmas morning.
In case you’re extra like me, I’m right here to provide it to you straight—you don’t must take down the Christmas tree by January 6. The truth is, there are many good causes not to take down your tree and to go away it up so long as February! In case you don’t really feel like giving in to the stress of shifting gears the second January begins, I’m right here to validate and encourage your instincts. Right here’s why I’m personally leaving my Christmas tree up till February 1 (and why my accomplice ultimately agreed to this with me):
Why You Ought to Take Down the Christmas Tree in February
Has anybody ever instructed you that it’s truly unhealthy luck to take down the tree earlier than January 6? In Christian traditions, Christmas all the time begins on December 25 (the beginning of Christ) and ends on January 6 (upon the arrival of the Three Smart Males). And should you’ve ever questioned why January 6 appears to be the date everybody has agreed to take down the tree, it has lots to do with the 12 days of Christmas.
In case you have been to comply with the unique traditions of Xmas, you’d put your tree up on December 21 and take it down on February 1.
Nonetheless, Christmas is a vacation that comes with a number of interpretations, traditions and cultural leanings. The truth is, should you have been to comply with the unique traditions of Xmas—the Pagan celebration of the winter solstice that got here earlier than the custom of Christmas—you’d put your tree up on December 21 and take it down on February 1, upon the celebration of Imbolc. In Celtic Pagan traditions, Imbolc—which immediately interprets to “within the stomach of the Mom”—is the celebration of the midway level between winter and spring. What higher a technique to have fun that transition than by taking down the tree on February 1?
Whether or not you’re considering exploring your individual Christmas—or Yuletide—traditions otherwise you’re merely not within the temper to half methods with these glimmering lights and flashing bulbs, you will have each cause to attend till February 1 to take down the Christmas tree.
Opposite to widespread perception, you don’t have to start out the brand new 12 months by hitting the bottom working. The truth is, the extraordinary “New 12 months, New Me” stress could cause you to slam on the gasoline pedal earlier than you even know the place you’re going. And though my accomplice’s intuition has usually been to take down the tree ASAP, he’s coming round to the concept of slowly and step by step adjusting to one thing new. In any case, it takes time to thaw the ice of winter. Keep in mind—the bears are nonetheless hibernating.
