The New Year is upon us and as we usher in 2025, many households across Ireland are reflecting on the end of the festive season as they prepare to return to work and school this week. While some people will have taken their Christmas trees down already, there are others holding out for as long as possible.
For some, removing the tree is a bittersweet moment, marking the end of the festive season.
But for others, it's a practical step, signalling a fresh start and making room for the new year. In Ireland, there's a tradition to take down the Christmas decorations before Nollaig na mBan, which falls on January 6.
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However, the exact timing often stirs up debate. As you ponder your own plans for taking down the Christmas tree, experts have offered advice on how to make the process smooth, safe and even lucky.
From avoiding the bad luck associated with missing the traditional dates, to practical tips on disposing of real trees, there's plenty to consider as you bid farewell to the festive centrepiece of your home. Here's all you need to know about taking down your tree this Christmas, reports the Irish Mirror.
When is the best time to take down the Christmas tree?
David Sumner, sales manager at Christmas Tree World explained: "For some, Christmas decorations bring endless cheer and they almost can't bear to part with them once the holiday season ends. Others may be eager to pack away the tinsel and baubles as soon as the festivities conclude, desperate to reclaim their normal living space."
According to Mr Summer, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to when you should start packing away your festive decorations. However, many people stick to tradition.
He explained: "Tradition recommends the Twelfth Night as the exact date to get the boxes down from the loft and pack away your tree and other decorations. Twelfth Night commemorates the eve of the arrival of the Three Wise Men and the end of the Christmas festivities. It is generally celebrated on the evening of the 5th of January."
So, if you're following the Christian tradition of Twelfth Night, this Sunday, January 5, is the day to take down your Christmas tree and decorations. But is it unlucky to keep them up in January?
Mr Sumner warned: "Rushing to take your decorations down before (or after) the traditional festive season can be considered bad luck, so Sunday, January 5 is a great date to choose."
There's another theory that suggests leaving your tree up too long can bring bad luck.
Apparently, people used to believe that evergreen trees would ward off evil spirits, witches, ghosts, and bad luck if kept in the home. However, it was crucial to get rid of them before they withered and died to keep your house free from evil.
Loren Taylor, a landscaping and gardening authority who runs Outdoor Fountain Pros, shared with the Liverpool Echo: "Most local recycling programs and councils set a window for collection or drop-off, usually from the end of December through mid-January. If you wait too long, the programmes close, and you're left figuring out disposal on your own."
For example, Dublin City Council is offering a free Christmas tree disposal service at various sites from January 6 to 18, where all trees will be repurposed into compost and wood chips. Miss that window, and you might turn to composting in your garden.
Guy Barter, the chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society, advises: "If you're composting it you can remove it to your garden, cut into small pieces and let it feed the soil and wildlife naturally."
Meanwhile, Scott Morahan, group nursery manager at British Garden Centres, explains what happens if real Christmas trees are kept up too long: "Generally, they will start dropping their needles and, depending on what type of tree and the warmth and dryness of the location they are in, they'll shed them until they are bare."
A dried-out Christmas tree becomes a serious fire risk, warned Mr Taylor, saying: "A dried-out Christmas tree is a major fire hazard. The drier it gets, the more flammable it becomes, and it can go up in flames incredibly fast. If you're still running lights on a brittle tree, even a small spark or overheated bulb can be enough to ignite it. It's a risk that's easy to avoid by taking the tree down before it dries out too much."
How do we ensure that an artificial tree remains in prime condition for the following year?
Balsam Hill CEO Mac Harman advises: "You need to compress the foliage of each branch in each section and then flip upside down, squeezing the branches into the main trunk. A top tip here is, once flipped, tie up each section using a ribbon so that all the branches are held down together, preventing them from falling open when moving the tree."
To further safeguard your tree during storage, Mac Harman suggests: "Your bag needs to be large enough to comfortably hold your tree and made from durable material so that it can't be torn by protruding branches. Rip-stop nylon is a great option for this. Store your tree in a cool, dry location as this helps to protect it from moisture and musty odour."
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