When should I take my Christmas decorations down to avoid bad luck?

For many, it’s annoying when neighbours opt to put lights up in early November with others becoming frustrated by decorations that stay up well after the festive period.

If you’ve ever wondered when decorations should be taken down, here is everything you need to know.

When should Christmas decorations be put up?

Christmas decorations are typically put up on Advent Sunday (Image: Getty Images) According to Wedgewood, the putting up of Christmas decorations traditionally starts on Advent Sunday, the fourth Sunday before the big day.

The advent marks the beginning of the new liturgical year and a time of great expectation and hope.

When should I take my Christmas decorations down to avoid bad luck?

Those in medieval times would leave their festive decorations up until Candlemas on February 2 (Image: Getty Images) Wedgewood adds that followers of the Christian faith believe that the Twelfth Night (12 days after Christmas) is when decorations should come down to avoid bad luck.

However, English Heritage states that those in medieval times would leave their festive decorations up until Candlemas on February 2.

It argues that the assertion that it is bad luck to leave decorations up after the Twelfth Night is a relatively modern invention.

Candlemas, which marked the official end of the festive period in England, falls exactly 40 days after Christmas and is sometimes referred to as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The date is so-called because candles that would be used in the churches in the coming year would be blessed on this day.