Lifestyle

When should you put your Christmas tree up – is November too early?


It’s 2020. All rules are out of the window. (Picture: Getty)

Let’s face it, November is a tough month: there’s no Halloween to look forward to, we’re getting sick of our pumpkin spice lattes and the golden Autumnal leaves are starting to turn a little grey.

And with large swathes of the country now effectively confined to their homes as the whole country remains in some form of lockdown, it seems like a good time to crack out those Christmas decorations and spread a little festive cheer.

Or is it too early?

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 – which this year falls on 29 November.

Others opt to put their tree up 12 days before Christmas, while some leave it as late as Christmas Eve (baffling, we know).

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 – something many of us need this year.

So if you’ve found yourself feeling festive after the usual raft of feel-good Christmas TV adverts, now could be a good time to crack out the decorations.

The Christmas lights are already up in London’s iconic Carnaby Street (PIcture: PA)

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 that if you buy one now, it could still be good for the big day.

But doing so could be a little risky.

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) recommend buying trees at the beginning of December, advising they can survive for more than four weeks if looked after properly.

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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.

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


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