Every Christmas season, a familiar debate occurs among communities: When is the “right” time to put up and take down the Christmas tree? Some households put theirs up as early as the beginning of November, while others wait until Thanksgiving has passed. Taking the tree down is an entirely different conversation, especially in Louisiana, where local culture, tradition, and even the next holiday season play a role.
On the Up
Most Americans put up their tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, making it the most common choice nationwide. But, that is not always the case. Plenty of people online proudly share that they usher in the holidays as early as the start of November to stretch the festive feeling as long as possible, even if it means overlapping holidays.
Real trees typically don’t hit the market until the end of November, so early decorators often use an artificial tree to get a head start.
Those who wait until the first week of December are often using a real tree in their home, or they follow religious traditions. In many Christian communities, the tree goes up with the start of Advent, beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
Holiday hosting can also influence timing. Families who aren’t hosting Thanksgiving feel more inclined to put up their tree before November ends, while those preparing for December celebrations are probably heading to the tree farm as soon as November 30th arrives.
On the Down
While Christmas ends on the 25th, few people feel ready to dive into storage boxes right away. Many families leave their tree up until the New Year, or right before it arrives–soaking in every last drop of the Christmas season before jumping into a new year (or delaying the trek to the attic a little longer).
In Louisiana, however, tree take-down timing often ties into a much bigger tradition: Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras season runs from January 6th through Fat Tuesday. Purple, green, and gold decorations appear overnight, king cakes reemerge, and the state shifts into full celebration mode. Religiously, January 6th marks Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the three kings and is traditionally considered the end of the Christmas season.
So what does this mean for Christmas trees? Many Louisianaians simply leave trees up and redecorate them in Mardi Gras colors to keep the celebration going.
To End the Debate
There is no official “correct” time to put up or take down a Christmas tree. Every household has its own traditions, cultural influences, and personal preferences. What matters most is how each family chooses to welcome the season, and how they make the holidays meaningful in their own way. Hearing others’ traditions only adds to the festive fun.