How Long Can You Leave Your Holiday Decorations Up?
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One of the most enjoyable parts about the holiday season is being able to decorate your house—both inside and out. Many of us can't wait to get up our holiday decor. Others make it a tradition to wait until Thanksgiving day or weekend. But whenever we deck our halls, once the holidays come and go, many people wonder when is the appropriate time to take down the festive decorations? After a certain point are they just sitting there awkwardly, like a guest who overstays their welcome?
Even for holiday enthusiasts, it can be a time-consuming process to decorate your Christmas tree(s) or light up your home's exterior. It's understandable if, after all that festive work, you want to soak in the holiday spirit as long as possible. But at a certain point, neighbors may start to find the illuminated reindeer they once considered cute to be an eyesore. And there are people who follow religious or cultural traditions as to when holiday decor, especially the Christmas tree, should come down.
Whatever your situation, we're here to help you figure out how long is too long to bask in the holiday spirit. Ahead, interior designers and hosting experts share when holiday decor should be taken down, when to take your Christmas tree down, and how to store your holiday decor safely.
When Should Holiday Decor be Taken Down?
January 1st and the 6th are two days people look at as a time for a fresh start and the perfect time to start taking down their holiday decor. These dates "are often linked to the end of the holiday season in many cultures," Abby Pendergrast, an interior stylist and set designer says. With January first being the official start of the calendar year, many folks are ready to pack away the previous year's celebrations, viewing New Year's Day as the end of the holiday season. (Plus, many people have the day off of work and can use the free time to un-jolly their home).
On the other hand, many Christians opt to take down holiday decorations on January 6, otherwise known as Three Kings Day or Twelfth Night. This commemorates when the three wise men presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to baby Jesus, which is said to have occurred 12 days after Christmas. For traditionalists, the holiday season isn't over until the 12 days of Christmas made famous in the carol end with Three Kings Day.
Tradition aside, "it’s really up to the individual," says Pendergast. "But anywhere between New Year's Day and the first week of January feels like a good time frame. I personally tend to take it down the first weekend after New Years Day, while some people enjoy keeping the decorations up a little longer to hold on to the cozy holiday vibe."
When to Take Down The Christmas Tree Itself
Your tree and the rest of your holiday decor, such as exterior lights, don't have to come down at the same time. Some people take their tree down on a traditional date such as January 1 or 6, but it really depends on what you believe. "For most people, it’s about what feels right–whether that's wrapping up the season sooner or letting it linger a little longer," Pendergrast says.
But there are practical reasons to take down a real tree early in January, or even in late December. First of all, after hanging around for weeks, a real tree can turn into a crispy, dry, needle-shedding fire hazard. Second, "If you have a real tree, many neighborhoods offer a free tree pick up with garbage service," says Gabriela Garcia, a hosting enthusiast and blogger at Modern Brown Girl. "This usually takes place in the weeks right after Christmas, so you don’t want to wait too long to dispose of it." Many large cities offer a similar tree-disposal or tree-recycling free service. During New York City's Mulchfest, for example, trees brought to drop-off locations in parks are chopped into mulch for use in gardening,
What If You Just Can't Bear to Part With Your Decor?
Dark winter nights last well past January sixth, so the desire to surrounded yourself with twinkling lights and fragrant pine is understandable. You just want to think less holiday, more winter. "This is a great way to transition out of the holidays while keeping a bit of that festive spirit alive," Pendergrast says. "String lights, greenery, and other non-Christmas-specific decorations can brighten up your space during the darker winter months."
If you do feel the desire to leave your holiday decor up longer than your Christmas tree, you can transition items such as a wreath. "Perhaps remove the bow, add some dried fruit or berries, so it says 'winter' more than 'Christmas' as a wreath is always welcoming, no matter the season," says Andria Mistakos, creative director of Anthologist Creative Studio. "Just change it up."
Jenn Todryk, interior designer and home renovation expert, and host of HGTV's No Demo Reno admits, "I leave some 'winter decor' up because January and February are our coldest months in Texas, so it works."
And whatever you choose to do this year, you can still feel free to change it up next year. "Some years I leave decor up, while other years I just want it all packed up so it’s done," Todryk says.
How to Store Your Holiday Decor Safely
Whenever you take your holiday gear down, storing your decorations in a safe way can help them look pristine for the next year. "Use clear, labeled bins to organize everything, and make sure fragile items like ornaments are wrapped in soft materials like tissue paper or bubble wrap," Pendergrast says. "For string lights, wrapping them around cardboard helps avoid tangles. Keep everything in a dry, temperature-controlled area to ensure your decor stays in good condition."
If you have an artificial Christmas tree, using something like this rolling storage bag from Balsam Hill can help keep everything neat and tidy. "It's heavy duty and the wheels make it easy to transport around the house," Garcia says. "It's also great for storing wreaths, smaller trees, ornaments, and additional decor."
And while you're packing up this year's holiday, do your future self a favor. Garcia advises, "When you’re putting away your tree for the year, it's also a great time to check for broken lights and get them fixed before the next year. Also, make sure to pack away any screws and tools needed to set up your tree in labeled ziplock bags so they are easy to find." If you take a little extra care putting away this year's decorations, you might just make decorating for next year a little bit merrier.
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