US Trends

when do most people take down christmas decorations

Most people take down Christmas decorations sometime between New Year’s Day and around January 6, with a big cluster on January 1 and on Twelfth Night (January 5 or 6).

Typical dates people choose

  • New Year’s Day (January 1) is now the single most popular day to pack everything away, with a survey in the UK finding nearly 40% of people choose that date for a “fresh start” to the year.
  • The first week of January in general is common, especially the first weekend after New Year’s, when many like to reset the house before work and school fully resume.
  • Some people clear out as early as Boxing Day (December 26) or December 27, saying Christmas “feels over” and they enjoy tidying up quickly.
  • A small group keep decorations up well into mid or late January, especially if they love the cozy winter atmosphere or use more neutral, wintry decor.

Traditional “Twelfth Night” dates

Historically, the Twelfth Night tradition says decorations come down on the 12th day of Christmas, which for many churches falls on January 5, while others count it as January 6 (Epiphany).

These dates remain very influential: a UK poll found roughly a quarter of households say they aim for Twelfth Night, and another segment specifically waits for Epiphany on January 6 as the “true” end of Christmas.

What surveys and forums suggest

  • A YouGov-style survey cited by a Christmas retailer reported:
    • About 40% remove decorations on New Year’s Day.
* Around 14% wait until January 5 or 6 to match Twelve Days of Christmas traditions.

* Roughly 8% take everything down on Boxing Day, and only about 5% leave decorations up into late January.
  • Forum discussions show similar patterns: some users swear by January 6, some by “first weekend of January,” and a few proudly admit their tree survives into late January because they love how it looks.

Cultural and religious angles

In Western Christian practice, Christmas runs from December 25 through Twelfth Night, with Epiphany (January 6) marking the visit of the Magi and often the end of the season.

Certain traditions, including some Orthodox and older European customs, stretch decorations all the way to Candlemas on February 2, though this is now a niche choice and can surprise modern guests who expect decor gone by early January.

How to decide for yourself

  • If you like tradition : Aim for Twelfth Night or Epiphany (January 5 or 6).
  • If you want a clean slate : New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day is the go‑to window to reset the house.
  • If you love cozy winter decor : Keep the overtly “Christmas” items minimal and leave neutral winter lights and greenery up through January.

Bottom line: when most people take down Christmas decorations is somewhere between December 26 and January 6, but the biggest “crowds” gather on New Year’s Day and on January 5–6, guided by a mix of convenience and tradition.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.