When Should I Take Down My Christmas Tree? | My Soho Times

It’s January. Your fairy lights are flickering their last, the pine needles are falling like confetti after a Soho street party, and your Christmas tree — once a glorious beacon of tinsel, baubles, and hope — is now leaning dangerously into the radiator. The big question: when exactly should you take it down?

Let’s start with the history. You may have heard of the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” that catchy tune that doubles as an extreme memory test. But according to Christian tradition, these twelve days aren’t just a festive filler — they’re very purposeful. January 5th is the Eve of Epiphany, Epiphany being January 6th marks the arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem, signalling the official end of Christmas celebrations. This day is called The Feast of Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or Three Kings’ Day, and in some parts of the world, it’s celebrated just as grandly as Christmas Day itself.

While some traditions count from Christmas Day (Dec 25th) as the first day, making the 5th the twelfth night, others count from Boxing Day, placing it on January 6th, but generally, the 5th is the main night for festivities and for taking down decorations.

Tradition says it’s actually bad luck to take your tree down before this date. Why? In olden times, people believed tree spirits lived in the festive greenery decorating our homes. Taking the tree down too early meant the spirits weren’t properly released, which could stunt the crops and greenery in the coming year. On the other hand, some superstitions argue that leaving the tree up past New Year’s might mean carrying last year’s baggage into the new one. So, really, you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t, but January 5th is generally the safest bet.

Beyond superstition, there’s plain old practicality. Your tree probably isn’t drinking water anymore, the needles are browning and shedding like autumn leaves, and the branches are drooping under the weight of ornaments and tinsel. At that point, it’s time to say goodbye.

So, what do you do with your tree once Christmas is over? Fear not, Sohoites: Westminster City Council has made disposing of your Christmas tree simple. You can drop your tree off at designated recycling points, including the convenient Soho Square East entrance, where it can be composted, chipped, or otherwise transformed into something less sad than a pile of needles on your floor.

In short:

Ideal tree-down day: January 5th (Twelfth Night / Epiphany)
Avoid: Too early, or leaving it until it’s a hazard in your living room
Post-tree: Local council recycling points, including Soho Square East, are your go-to

Enjoy your tree for the full twelve days, then let it go gracefully—and responsibly. Even Christmas trees deserve a proper send-off.

Written by My Soho Times Team