When do you put up a Christmas tree? Mark the date on your calendar

And while the opening date of the tree in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican was choppy in early December, in the United States the tree is still erected at the end of November. According to Southern Living magazine, the custom is to start decorating the pine tree the day after Thanksgiving, which in 2021 will be celebrated on November 24.

In the Queen’s lands – the United Kingdom and Australia – the tree appeared in the rooms of houses between December 22 and 24. According to historian Martin Jones, author of “birthday and the British: a modern History”, the placement of the decor was previously seen as a sign of misfortune.

This tradition could have been borrowed from the Germans in the 16th century, but it was cemented in the Victorian era by the Commonwealth countries.

When do you disassemble it?

It is common in the United States to bid farewell to the tree on what is called “Boxing Day,” December 26, when Americans usually exchange gifts, make donations to the needy and traditional purchases of sale.

However, in Brazil and in many other countries, the tradition is to break up the tree after the Day of the Three Kings, on January 6, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to Jesus with gifts.

On the other hand, the Vatican advises that Christmas celebrations end on January 13, after the celebration of Christ’s Baptism – the last rite of Christmas in the liturgical calendar – which is held annually on the 12th.