when to take down your Christmas tree.

As the fairy lights fade (rechargeable batteries of course though) and pine needles start appearing in places they can’t possibly have travelled to… one question divides homes up and down the UK every January:

When do you take your Christmas tree down?

Tradition says one thing, superstition says another, and then there’s the reality of living with an oversized pot plant and metres of tinsel.

boxing day (26th december).

The day is done, the debris is everywhere. Some people clear the decs away as early as Boxing Day. Yes really.

If you crave minimalism (or you’re allergic to tinsel) and you’ve got the necessary energy then we salute your efficiency and smol floor cleaner is always here for the aftermath.

Remember though, if you are packing up this early, take the time to clean and organise properly so everything’s ready for next year. 

new year’s day (1st january).

If you’re all about a clean slate, New Year’s Day is the ultimate reset button.

It’s when almost 40% of Brits¹ take their decorations down.

There’s something symbolic here that resonates; new year, new start, the promise of fewer pine needles sticking through your socks.

Plus, most real trees have probably peaked by this point, and your home deserves a little breathing space before the routine of real life kicks back in. 

twelfth night (5th january).

The classic. 

Twelfth Night is the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. For centuries, people have believed that leaving decorations up past this date is unlucky (we’re not saying it is).

If you love tradition and a sense of closure, then take this date as your cue to gently pack things away, switch off the fairy lights, and reclaim your living room.

candlemas (2nd february).

If you’re a die-hard festive fan, Candlemas is your cut-off date.

It falls 40 days after Christmas, and marks a Christian feast day that signals the absolute end of the Christmas season. 

Keeping your decorations up until February might earn you a few raised eyebrows, but remember, it’s your tree, your rules and if you’re hosting an artificial tree they can certainly stay the distance (real ones, less so). 

real vs artificial trees.

And while we’re on the topic of tree type… which is best? 

Both have pros, both have pitfalls:

Real trees smell amazing and look authentic, but… if they end up in landfill, a 2m tree produces around 16kg of CO₂e. Compost or replant it, and that drops to under 4kg.²

Artificial trees start with a higher footprint (around 40kg CO₂e)² because they’re made from PVC, but if you reuse yours for 10 years or more, it can outperform a real one environmentally.

Want the best of both worlds?

Try renting a real tree from a local grower. You “borrow” a living tree for the season, then return it to be replanted for next year. Some farms even give you the same tree again… like your very own nordic family member!

And remember, if you already own an artificial one, keep caring for it. (Our how to clean your artificial Christmas tree guide has you covered.)

post-christmas clean-up checklist.

We know taking the tree down is the least fun part of Christmas, but a little extra effort now means a smoother start to the new year:

• Declutter by removing what’s broken, donating what you don’t use, and recycling what you can.
• Wipe baubles and ornaments with a dry cloth to prevent dust before you store them.
• Wrap fairy lights and tinsel around cardboard rectangles (or old wrapping tubes) to avoid next year’s spaghetti nightmare.
• Once your tree’s out, give the floor a going over with smol floor cleaner and spritz all your surfaces with smol multi-purpose spray (if it’s in your shiny aluminium bottle-for-life you’ll still get a hint of festive bling).