Long-held festive traditions in the UK are undergoing a significant transformation, with new research indicating that a growing number of Britons are packing away their Christmas decorations far earlier than custom dictates.
The Decline of the Twelve Days of Christmas
For generations, it was considered bad luck to take down festive adornments before the Twelfth Night on January 5th, marking the official end of the Christmas period. However, a major survey of over 5,000 households, conducted by Park Christmas Savings, reveals this custom is rapidly fading.
The study found that one in three households now opts to put away their baubles and tinsel as soon as Boxing Day arrives. Eager to signal a fresh start, a further quarter of families take down their decorations on New Year's Day itself. This shift means that nearly half of all Britons are now questioning long-standing festive traditions, with younger families leading the charge for change.
Cost and Comfort Reshape Festive Celebrations
This move away from tradition is part of a broader trend where families are consciously adapting their festive habits to reduce both stress and financial pressure. The research highlights that more than a third of households have actively tweaked their Christmas routines.
Notable changes include nearly half of people skipping the sending of Christmas cards, while a third plan to avoid elaborate New Year celebrations. Even festive dining is seeing a shift, with the formal sit-down Christmas dinner being replaced for many. Over a third (37%) now prefer a simpler 'help yourself' buffet-style meal, prioritising ease and informality.
A Clash Between Tradition and Modern Life
Despite the trend towards earlier pack-up, tradition still holds strong for a significant minority. A third of households maintain that decorations should stay up until Twelfth Night, adhering to the belief that it is either bad luck or simply unnecessary to pack things away early—or after January 6th.
Katherine Scott of Park Christmas Savings, which commissioned the research, commented on the findings. She said, ‘The days between Christmas and New Year are when festive fatigue hits hardest. We're seeing traditions become much more flexible.’
Scott attributed the changes to contemporary pressures, adding, ‘With rising living costs and busy lifestyles reshaping expectations, many families say they are prioritising comfort, affordability and emotional wellbeing over perfection.’ This suggests that the evolving approach to decorations is a symptom of a wider recalibration of the festive season for modern Britain.
