When to take down the Christmas tree to avoid bad luck

With Christmas and the New Year behind us, you're probably wondering when the best time to take down the tree and pack up the decorations is.

The date when you need to get rid of the Christmas tree depends largely on personal choice, but those who follow traditions know that you shouldn't keep it for too long, as it can bring bad luck. OBOZ.UA will tell you when it is better to take the green beauty out of the house.

This belief, which has its roots in centuries-old traditions, says that if you leave the tree longer, it can invite evil spirits or bad luck into your home. This sign is based on a 4th century Christian tradition known as the Twelfth Night.

You are probably already familiar with the 12 days of Christmas, which supposedly represent the time between the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the three wise men. This period begins on December 25 and ends on January 6, also known as Epiphany.

This year, the 12th night after Christmas fell on Sunday, January 5. The exact date changes every year, depending on which day you start counting.

Historically, Twelfth Night is the time when your decorations should be taken down. Until the 1800s, the 12-day period after Christmas was believed to have included several other holidays and celebrations, and then it was reportedly removed from the calendar by Queen Victoria.

After Twelfth Night, the Victorians expected people to stop celebrating and get back to work. This may explain why it is now considered bad luck to leave decorations up after that day.

Another theory about why your tree might bring bad luck after Twelfth Night has to do with superstitions about trees themselves. For example, it was once believed that evergreens could ward off evil spirits, witches, ghosts, or bad luck if kept at home.

Therefore, removing them before they wither and die was crucial to protect your home.

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