Best time to put up your Christmas tree - tradition and superstition explained

26 November 2023 , 18:13

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Tradition says you should wait until the start of Advent to put your Christmas tree up (Image: Getty Images)

Deciding when to put up your Christmas tree can be a tricky decision.

Some people love to start the festive season early, while others prefer to wait until closer to Christmas Day. But it seems supermarkets are now going full throttle with the decorations the moment Halloween and Bonfire Night are over.

So when is the right time to put up your Christmas tree at home? According to tradition, you should wait until the start of Advent. The Christian season that prepares for the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, known as Advent Sunday, and lasts for about four weeks, ending on Christmas Eve.

This year, Advent starts on Sunday, December 3 and ends on Sunday, December 24. If you're a fan of tradition, December 3 is the earliest date you should put up your Christmas tree. But if you can't wait, there's no rule saying you can't do it earlier.

Waiting until December has its perks, especially if you're buying a real tree, Yorkshire Live reports. It will last longer and stay fresh for the big day. The British Christmas Tree Growers Association says well-cared-for trees can last up to four weeks. That's about the same length as Advent.

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Buying a tree in November might mean the branches and pine needles start to drop sooner. It all depends on how well you look after it. Another tradition is to decorate the tree 12 days before Christmas.

This suits those who prefer to delay the festivities. If you follow this tradition, you should put up your tree on Wednesday, December 13. In the past, decorations and trees weren't put up until Christmas Eve. It was thought to be unlucky to do so any earlier. In Roman Catholic tradition, Christmas trees aren't put up until the afternoon on December 24.

The traditional date to take down your Christmas tree is twelve days after Christmas, or the 'Twelfth Night', which marks the official end of the festive season in Christianity. This year, the twelfth night falls on Saturday, January 6. It's generally considered unlucky to leave your decorations up after this date.

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Susie Beever