DEBATE: When should you really take down your Christmas tree?

So, what date SHOULD you take down your Christmas decorations?

kate middleton christmas tree

by Hannah Mellin |
Updated on

Christmas is meant to be the most magical time of the year but that doesn't stop people from fighting over the sales, rowing on the day itself and of course, debating on when it's acceptable to take down their Christmas tree and decorations.

So when are we supposed to take them all down? Is there a specific date? Do people actually take them all down before New Year? Or should we appreciate them a little longer?

Let's try and settle the age-old debate, shall we?

The Grinch

Every family has different traditions. Some of us adore Christmas and want to appreciate our special Christmas decorations for as long as possible, whereas some people wait and put it up as close to Christmas Day and take them all down a week after.

However, unlike the varied dates for people to put up their tree, many people do stick to the same date to take down their tree – between January 5th or 6th.

Traditionally, the Twelfth Night (meaning twelve days after Christmas) represents the true end of the festive period. And in Victorian times and even before, families used to celebrate this date by eating even more cake, dancing and playing games.

Check out: The UK's favourite top 20 Christmas number ones

Gallery

The UK's favourite top 20 Christmas number ones - SLIDER

Queen1 of 20
CREDIT: EMI

1) Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody was released in 1975, but has stood the test of time and is still wildly popular to this day as proven by 35% of the voters.

Slade2 of 20
CREDIT: TMF

2) Slade - Merry Christmas Everybody

Noddy Holder's famous screech of "IT'S CHRISTMAS!" will go down in history from this song released in 1973, chosen by 25% of voters.

Band Aid3 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

3) Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas?

24% of voters chose Bob Geldof's 1984 anthem which highlighted the issues that were ongoing in other countries.

Whitney Houston4 of 20
CREDIT: Warner Bros.

4) Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

Whitney recorded Dolly Parton's hit for the film The Bodyguard which she starred in with Kevin Costner in 1992 which got 17% of the votes.

Shakin Stevens5 of 20
CREDIT: Epic

5) Shakin' Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone

This has been one of the stalwart songs of the festive period since its release in 1985, winning 16% of the votes.

Harry Belafonte6 of 20
CREDIT: RCA Victor

6) Harry Belafonte – Mary’s Boy Child

This 1956 track received 15% of the votes.

East 177 of 20
CREDIT: London

7) East 17 - Stay Another Day

East 17's 1994 ballad is synonymous with Christmas, winning 13% of the votes.

Band Aid II8 of 20
CREDIT: Stock Aitken Waterman

8) Band Aid II – Do They Know It’s Christmas?

The second version of Do They Know It's Christmas? was released five years later in 1989, and is popular with 13% of voters.

Mud9 of 20
CREDIT: RAK

9) Mud – Lonely This Christmas

Also winning 13% of the votes is Mud with 1974's Lonely This Christmas, for which they took inspiration from the late Elvis Presley.

Alexandra Burke10 of 20
CREDIT: Syco

10) Alexandra Burke – Hallelujah

The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's cover of Hallelujah in 2008 is the most recent release in the list, also winning 13% of votes.

Beatles11 of 20
CREDIT: EMI

11) The Beatles – I Want to Hold Your Hand

The Beatles' I Wanna Hold Your Hand is the first of three Beatles tracks on the list - this came out in 1964 and garnered 12% of the votes on this poll.

Elvis Presley12 of 20
CREDIT: Paramount Picutres

12) Elvis Presley – Return to Sender

Elvis Presley's Return To Sender was produced for the 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls! and received 11% of votes.

Johnny Mathis13 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

13) Johnny Mathis – When a Child is Born

Another Christmas cracker, Johnny Mathis' cover of When A Child Is Born was released in 1976 and won 11% of votes.

Michael Jackson14 of 20
CREDIT: Epic

14) Michael Jackson – Earth Song

The late Michael Jackson's Earth Song won the top spot in 1995, and was popular with 11% of votes.

The Human League15 of 20
CREDIT: Virgin

15) The Human League – Don’t You Want Me

People love this song no matter what time of year it is, but it won the Christmas number one spot in 1981 - and 10% of the votes.

Spice Girls16 of 20
CREDIT: Virgin

16) Spice Girls – 2 Become 1

This 1996 banger is the soundtrack to all 90s kids' childhoods - so it's no surprise that 2 Become 1 made the list with 10%.

Boney M17 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

17) Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child

Boney M's version of Mary's Boy Child also appears in the list - their 1981 version won 10% of the votes.

Pet Shop Boys18 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

18) Pet Shop Boys – Always on My Mind

Pet Shop Boys' 1988 hit Always On My Mind won 9% of the votes.

Beatles19 of 20
CREDIT: Getty Images

19) The Beatles – I Feel Fine

The second of The Beatles' hits to appear on this list was I Feel Fine, released in 1964 and was voted best Christmas song by 8%.

Beatles20 of 20
CREDIT: Capitol Records

20) The Beatles – Day Tripper/ We Can Work It Out

The final song on the list is none other than - you guessed it - The Beatles! Their 1965 hit won 8% of votes.

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It was always tradition to take down decorations only on or after those dates, which is probably bad news to celebs like Katie Price who has been caught with her Christmas decorations up until February.

Yes, really.

Katie may typically be behind with the Christmas decor but celebrities such as Jodie Marsh and Kate and Rio Ferdinand have been well in advance this year by getting in the festive spirit eight weeks early.

Even though Sam Faiers decorated her house 12 days before Christmas she came under fire for her 'OTT' decorations.

So, when do you take down your Christmas tree? Have you got a tradition or does it vary each year? Let us know your thoughts over on Facebook or Twitter.

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