As New Year’s Day arrives, homes across Ireland are debating when to take down their Christmas trees, with experts offering tips on timing, safety, superstition and proper disposal.
One Irish tradition is to remove decorations before Nollaig na mBan(Image: Getty Images)
New Year’s Day has arrived, and as 2026 begins, many households across Ireland are contemplating the end of the festive season. Today is usually a time for reflection, resolutions and fresh starts – but it also brings a question that sparks debate in homes across the country: when should the Christmas tree come down?
For some, packing away the tree is a bittersweet moment as it signals the close of a joyful season. For others, it’s purely practical – a chance to clear space and get back to normal life.
One Irish tradition is to remove decorations before Nollaig na mBan, which falls on Tuesday, January 6. But in practice, the timing often divides opinion, leaving many unsure what to do.
Experts have weighed in with advice on how to make the process smooth, safe and – according to some – lucky. From avoiding misfortune linked to ignoring traditional dates, to practical tips for disposing of real trees, there’s plenty to consider when saying goodbye to your festive centrepiece.
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.”
He said there’s no right or wrong time to start taking your decorations down, but many people tend to follow tradition. David said: “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.”
Therefore if you’re following the Christian tradition called Twelfth Night, the Christmas tree and decorations should come down this Monday, January 5.
Is it bad luck to leave decorations up in January?
David added: “Rushing to take your decorations down before (or after) the traditional festive season can be considered bad luck, so January 5 is a great date to choose.”
Another theory as to why your tree could bring bad luck beyond the Twelfth Night is because of superstitions surrounding the trees themselves. According to History.com, people used to believe that evergreens would ward away any evil spirits, witches, ghosts or bad luck if they were kept in your home.
Therefore, getting rid of them before they withered and died was essential in keeping your house free from evil.
If you leave it up too long is it harder to get rid of?
Loren Taylor, landscaping and gardening expert and owner of Outdoor Fountain Pros told 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 provide a free Christmas tree disposal service at a selection of bring centres, civic amenity sites and local drop off points from January 4 to 18. All trees will be recycled for use as compost and wood chips.
If you miss this deadline, you could compost your tree in the garden instead. Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at Royal Horticultural Society said: “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.”
What happens if a real tree is left up too long?
Scott Morahan, group nursery manager at British Garden Centres said: “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 dying Christmas tree also becomes a safety hazard. Loren added: “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 to keep a fake tree in good condition
Mac Harman, CEO of luxury Christmas brand Balsam Hill said: “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.”
A storage bag will also help protect your tree while it’s stored. Mac Harman added: “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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