As the New Year begins, a familiar domestic debate divides households across the UK: when is the right time to finally take down the Christmas tree and pack away the festive lights? While some are eager for a clean start, others cling to the cheer for as long as possible. However, a tradition dating back over a millennium offers a definitive answer, steeped in religious history and a dash of superstition.
The Official End of the Festive Season
For Christians, the Christmas period is not confined to a single day. It is a season that lasts for twelve full days, beginning on December 25. The culmination is Twelfth Night, which falls on January 5. The following day, January 6, is Epiphany, a feast day commemorating the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. This sequence marks the theological conclusion of Christmas.
Therefore, the long-held custom of taking down decorations by Twelfth Night is not arbitrary. It is rooted in recognising this sacred calendar. The tradition warns that leaving your holly, ivy, and baubles up beyond this point is considered unlucky.
A Celebration with Medieval Roots
The observance of Twelfth Night is ancient, with records tracing it to 597AD. In that year, the Roman Catholic Council of Tours declared the period from Christmas to Epiphany should be a time of celebration. For centuries, through medieval and Tudor England until 1603, these nearly two weeks were filled with feasting and revelry.
Interestingly, the timing for removing decorations has shifted. The Tudors typically kept theirs up until Candlemas on February 2. The change to the earlier Twelfth Night deadline is often attributed to the Victorian era. It is said that by the late 1800s, Queen Victoria's influence helped shorten celebrations, perhaps to ensure a timely return to work after the holidays.
Modern Twelfth Night Traditions
While less widespread today, some Twelfth Night customs persist, largely centred on food and drink. A Twelfth Night Feast might feature wassail punch and a special King Cake. This Tudor-era bake, resembling a fruity brioche, often had a bean hidden inside; the finder would be crowned 'king for a day'.
One of the most charming surviving rituals occurs at London's Drury Lane Theatre. Thanks to a bequest in the 1794 will of actor Robert Baddeley, the company performing there on January 6 receives a Baddeley Cake and rum. This tradition has been upheld every year since 1795.
Other practices include singing carols and the 'chalking of the door' to bless the home. Yet, the most ubiquitous belief remains the superstition about decorations. So, if you harbour any traditional or superstitious leanings, January 5, 2026 is your clear deadline to un-deck the halls and start the new year afresh.
