Winter is just around the corner and the weather is getting chillier. While some people dread the cold weather and darker days, it's the ample opportunity to stick on your favourite festive films and cosy up with a hot chocolate.
Or maybe you enjoy visiting the Christmas markets and catching up with friends over a mulled wine and some Currywurst. Whether you prefer staying in or going out, there's usually another question on people's minds at this time of year: When should you put up your Christmas decorations?
While some people begin decking their halls as soon as Halloween ends, others prefer to wait until December to get into the festive spirit. Some people might follow traditions meanwhile others might start decorating as soon as they feel like it.
Is there an officially acceptable date to put your Christmas tree and decorations up? And is there such thing as too soon? The Manchester Evening News finds out...
Why you should wait until December
According to Christian tradition, the Christmas tree should be put up at the beginning of Advent - which is four Sundays before Christmas. This year, the first day of Advent is Sunday 27 November 2022, which is a bit earlier than usual.
That makes it acceptable to put your decorations up before December - according to the main tradition. But other teachings say you should start decking your halls 12 days before Christmas. In Roman Catholic tradition, the tree isn't put up until the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
The type of tree you opt for can also impact your decision. Some people prefer artificial trees, while others love to buy a real tree every year.
Gardening expert Samantha Jones, from MyJobQuote, says waiting until December to put up your 'real' Christmas tree will ensure it's fresher for longer. She told the Daily Record : "After Bonfire night, your first instinct might be to get into the Christmas spirit and purchase a tree.
"However, the earlier you get a real Christmas tree, the more effort is required to keep it looking fresh in time for the 25th of December. Generally, you should aim to buy your Christmas tree a week into December, so it doesn’t dry out throughout the festive season.
"For low drop trees like Nordman firs, you can purchase them up to four weeks before Christmas, but for European spruce trees, get them mid-December as they tend to dry up faster."
When to take decorations down
Again, when to put away your Christmas decorations for another year can vary depending on traditions - or personal preference. Most people take down their decorations on the Twelfth Night, which is the twelfth day after Christmas.
It signals the end of the festive season and it's believed by many to be back luck to keep decorations up after this date. The Twelfth Night this year is Thursday January 5 2023.
However, Catholics traditionally wait until 7 January to take their trees down, as that is the day after Epiphany. The Epiphany is a feast day which celebrates the revelation of God incarnating as Jesus Christ.
But some Christians might not take their decorations down until as late as February. That's because their Christmas celebrations continue to Candlemas - a Christian Holy Day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple - which takes place on 2 February.
Some wait until after Candlemas to remove their Christmas tree and decorations, while others take them down on the Twelfth Night.
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