When to Take Down Christmas Decorations: Our Guide to Un-Decking the Halls After the Holidays

Droptini put it this way: “Outdoor lights? Turn them off by Epiphany to avoid the HOA stink-eye. Principal designer with Niche Interiors Jennifer Jones wholeheartedly agrees, saying: “I implore you to take your Christmas decor down during the first week of January. Nothing drives this designer crazier than seeing icicle lights, oversized ornaments, and inflatable snowmen in my neighbors’ yards in February! Bonus points for also taking down the Christmas tree in your front window at the same time.”

When is the best time to take down Christmas decorations? In the end, it’s up to you

“When it comes to taking down Christmas decorations, etiquette meets art in this timeless saying: ‘Let the sparkle linger as long as it brings you joy, but when the Twelfth Night falls, let simplicity restore the scene,’” says noted etiquette consultant Lisa Mirza Grotts, AKA the Golden Rules Gal.

But Grotts also allows for some wiggle room when it comes to holiday interior design, adding: “While traditionally decorations come down on Twelfth Night, [not all] etiquette rules were created equal. Modern grace allows for flexibility. Whether you’re keeping them up for warmth through winter’s chill or tidying up to embrace a fresh new year.”

Real wreaths and garlands, like Christmas trees, make for a more time sensitive holiday decor removal schedule as they will begin to droop and drop leaves.

Photo: Pretti/Getty Images

And don’t let taking down the Christmas decorations add undue stress into your life, says therapist Braquelle Murphy, MS, LCPC. “You can be attached to Christmas decor, especially the pieces that have been passed down. They can bring up a sense of joy, happiness, and nostalgia [and] it can be hard to take down Christmas decorations from a psychological perspective.” So, don’t rush it if you’re just not ready.

On the other hand, Murphy adds: “Removing the holiday decor can bring a sense of closure for some. They can feel a definitive shift that shows that the holidays are over and it’s time to return to normal everyday life. It can also feel good to remove some clutter and have a fresh start.”

Ellen Flowers of the Perennial Style sums it up nicely: “Whether it’s the social norm or simply when the holiday cheer fades, the perfect time to take down your decorations is when it feels right for you and your home.”

From our sources’ design perspective…. just be sure to shut things down outside by the second week of January, in the name of good taste.