After the bustle and excitement of the Christmas season, National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day on January 6 provides the perfect end to the season. It’s the last of the 12 days of Christmas and encourages us to finally let go of the holidays, take down our trees, and usher in Epiphany.
History of National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day
Christmas trees have been around since the 1500s, some say even earlier, and have become an integral part of the Christmas festivities.
Just like the celebrations, the time you choose to take down your Christmas tree is completely at your discretion. Many people take theirs down right after the opening of gifts on Boxing Day, and others leave it up until New Year’s Day, or even for a while after. However, if you’re one of those people who simply can’t seem to get around the depressing chore, National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day may present you with the perfect opportunity.
Founded by the ‘Queen of Holidays’, Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, the day is celebrated annually on January 6. This day is vital in Christmas history, as it marks the 12th and last day of Christmas, and is the day Epiphany takes place.
Epiphany is a feast day, celebrating the revelation of God as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles by the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, marking his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in 361 A.D.
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day was created to add some excitement to the usually difficult process of letting go of the festive Christmas season. Take down your trees and usher in a new season.
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day timeline
The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast is made.
A keystone sculpture of a Christmas tree is found in a private home in Turckheim, Alsace.
Christmas trees spread amongst the nobility and to royal courts as far as Russia.
Putting up public Christmas trees outdoors becomes hugely popular.
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day FAQs
What is the official date to take down Christmas decorations?
Although you are allowed to take down your decorations when you deem fit, the official day to take down your Christmas decorations is on January 5 or January 6, right after the twelve-day celebration.
Can a cut Christmas tree regrow?
Yes, a cut tree can be replanted and it can grow again. This process is called recycling.
What kind of trees are Christmas trees?
Traditional Christmas trees usually have a pine or fir origin. Noble fir, Douglas fir, and White pine are some of the varieties used as Christmas trees.
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day Activities
Take down your Christmas tree
What else is there to do on National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day besides actually taking down your tree? Call on friends and family to come and help, and to add an element of excitement to the activity.
Recycle your tree
Did you put up a real Christmas tree this year? Recycled trees can provide much-needed shelter for our feathered friends, and is a great way to conserve nature.
Attend a church service
If you are more interested in the religious significance of the day, why not attend a church service? Many churches organize services for this special day.
5 Fun Facts About Christmas Trees
They were once cherry trees
In the early days, some Europeans used cherry or hawthorn trees as their Christmas greenery.
Ukrainians use spider webs as decoration
In Ukrainian tradition, spiders have always been considered to bring good luck and in honor of this, many Ukrainian families decorate their trees with silver and gold cobwebs, and spiders.
Dyed goose feathers and wire
In the 1880s, Germans made the first artificial trees from dyed goose feathers held together with wire, in a bid to offset deforestation.
Upside-down Christmas trees
In the 1900s, Polish people decorated their trees and hung them from the ceiling.
They take nearly a decade to grow
According to CNN, your average six- to seven-foot Christmas tree takes between eight and 10 years to grow.
Why We Love National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day
It's the perfect end to the season
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day provides the perfect ending to the Christmas season. It allows us to finally close the festive chapter and get ready for the busy year ahead.
It’s an opportunity to take down our Christmas trees
Taking down Christmas trees is one of the most depressing and tasking activities of the entire Christmas season. A lot of us are guilty of procrastination when it comes to this particular activity, and this day gives us the motivation to get it done.
It’s a great day to bond with loved ones
Taking down a Christmas tree, though tasking, can be fun. More so when your loved ones get involved. When they do, it can serve as a great bonding experience and takes the stress off you because you don’t have to do it single-handedly.
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 6 | Monday |
| 2026 | January 6 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | January 6 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | January 6 | Thursday |
| 2029 | January 6 | Saturday |
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