For those of us preparing to return to work, Christmas seems more like a distant memory with each passing hour. A clean start to the New Year is always a good thing, but confusion continues to abound over when exactly to take down the Christmas tree and decorations.
To avoid more bad luck, we determine when it’s time to put away the tinsel for another year, and it’s not as simple as it might seem.
Here you will find everything you need to know.
When should I remove my Christmas tree and decorations?
In the United Kingdom, tradition dictates that Christmas decorations remain up until Twelfth Night.
Twelfth Night is a Christian holiday that marks the beginning of the Epiphany.
A count of exactly 12 days from December 25th takes us to January 5th. According to the Church of England, this day is Twelfth Night.
However, Epiphany Day falls on the next day, January 6.
It’s time to save your holiday fantasies for another year
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However, other Christian groups may count the 12 days of Christmas from Boxing Day, making January 6 Twelfth Night.
Countries like Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic consider Twelfth Night to fall on this day, for example.
What is Epiphany?
Sculptures of the Three Wise Men in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Epiphany is a time when Christians remember the Three Wise Men (or Three Wise Men) who are said to have visited Jesus after his birth.
It is also a time for Christians to remember the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist when he was a man.
The word “epiphany” means revelation and both of the above incidences relate to important moments in the life of Jesus.
What is the history and meaning of Epiphany?
Until the 19th century, Epiphany was more significant than Christmas Day, with celebrations marking the arrival of the Three Wise Men in the Bible.
Christians believe that the twelve days represent the time it took for the Three Wise Men to travel to Bethlehem and recognize Jesus as the son of God.
As late as the 1950s, Christians celebrated Twelfth Night by sailing.
Similar to caroling, this involved going door to door to wish neighbors good health and happiness for the coming year.
The six Sundays following the Epiphany are known as the time of manifestation, and the last Sunday of the Epiphany is celebrated as Transfiguration Sunday.
Celebrations of the Christian holiday vary around the world, which is a public holiday for many.
The event is particularly popular in the Spanish-speaking world, where gifts are often exchanged.
In Mexico, crowds gather to taste the King’s bread on Three Kings’ Day.
And in Prague and Venice the traditional bath of the Three Wise Men in icy waters is celebrated.
So what is the correct date?
Both things are correct, but Wednesday 5th January is the date that most people in the UK tend to stick to.
Why is it considered bad luck to keep decorations up after Twelfth Night?
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In ancient times, people believed that tree spirits lived in the decorations that people used to adorn their homes, such as holly and ivy.
It was believed that failure to “release” the spirits before Christmas was over would lead to crop failures and food problems.
While many people’s trees are made of plastic today, some people choose to hold on to these old superstitions.
