National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day: When to give the tree the heave-ho

After all the fabulous food, the non-stop shopping and the get-togethers, the hustle-and-bustle of the holiday season is o-v-e-r. But before we can get back to a "normal" routine, there is one more thing we need to do. While the halls have been decked, the drummers are done drumming and Santa has settled down for a long winter’s nap, it’s time to tackle all those balls, un-tangle the bright lights and the granddaddy of ‘em all – the ole’ Christmas tree. Besides National Bean Day, Jan. 6 is National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day, an annual holiday created by the Queen of Holidays.

When is the best time to take down the tree? Just as there are no tried-and-true rules for putting up the Christmas tree, taking it down is often a personal preference. Many Americans ditch the tree the day after Christmas while others wait until New Year’s Day or the day after. For some people, the actual condition of the tree dictates when the tree will be taken down. Others wait until they have a day off work or when they have a few extra hands to help out. But some folks follow a more traditional path. The official holiday season ends on Jan. 6 (Epiphany) – following the 12 days of Christmas, which officially begins on the evening of Dec. 25.

While putting up the tree and decorating the inside and outside of the home is often a merry event, taking down the tree and the decorations can be downright depressing. In honor of National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day, why not make it a fun event and have a de-clutter and de-tree party? Gather up the family or a few BFFs, whip up a few tasty appetizers and one or two refreshing cocktails, and you are good to go. It’s time to toss the tree and give it the old heave-ho. But just in case you’re feeling a little blue – no worries. Depending when you read this article, next Christmas is less than 362 days away!

Please don't forget the birds this holiday season. If you put up a real tree this year, recycled trees can provide much-needed shelter for our feathered-friends.