When Can I Put My Christmas Tree Up?

Your complete guide to Christmas tree timing traditions around the world — from Advent Sunday to the Philippines' September celebrations

🎁 Find Your Perfect Date

Advertisement - 728x90 Leaderboard

Christmas Tree Traditions Around the World

The perfect time to put up your Christmas tree varies dramatically depending on where you live, your religious background, and your family traditions. Explore the rich tapestry of customs that make this festive decoration so meaningful worldwide.

🏰

Western Europe

Advent Sunday – Christmas Eve

From Germany's Christmas Eve tradition to Britain's Advent Sunday setup, Western European customs form the foundation of modern Christmas tree traditions.

Germany UK France Netherlands
Explore traditions →
☦️

Orthodox Christian

Late December – January 7th

Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on January 7th, with unique traditions from Russia to Ethiopia, Serbia to Georgia.

Russia Serbia Georgia Ethiopia
Explore traditions →
🗽

The Americas

Post-Thanksgiving – Early December

From Black Friday decorating in the USA to Mexico's Las Posadas traditions, the Americas blend indigenous customs with European influences.

USA Canada Mexico Brazil
Explore traditions →
🌟

Philippines

September 1st onwards!

The world's longest Christmas season! Filipinos celebrate the "Ber Months" starting in September with parols, Jose Mari Chan, and Simbang Gabi.

Ber Months Parol Lanterns Simbang Gabi
Explore traditions →
🏖️

Southern Hemisphere

Early December (Summer!)

Christmas in summer! Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa celebrate with beach barbecues, native flowering trees, and unique seasonal adaptations.

Australia New Zealand South Africa
Explore traditions →
🏮

Asia & Beyond

Late November – December

From Japan's commercial Christmas to India's mango leaf decorations, discover how diverse Asian cultures have adapted Christmas tree traditions.

Japan South Korea India China
Explore traditions →
Advertisement - 300x250 Rectangle

✨ Did You Know?

Estonia vs Latvia Rivalry

Both Tallinn (1441) and Riga (1510) claim to have had the first Christmas tree, set up by the "Brotherhood of Blackheads" merchant guild.

Victorian Influence

Christmas trees became mainstream in Britain after an 1848 illustration of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert around a decorated tree went viral.

Georgia's Chichilaki

Georgians create traditional Christmas trees from dried hazelnut branches, said to resemble St. Basil's beard. They're burned on January 19th.

Spider Web Luck

In Ukraine, finding a spider's web on your Christmas tree is considered extremely lucky — this legend is believed to be the origin of tinsel!

Pohutukawa Magic

New Zealand's native Pohutukawa tree blooms with vibrant red flowers in December, earning it the title "New Zealand Christmas Tree."

12 Days Rule

Traditionally, trees should stay up until Twelfth Night (January 5th) or Epiphany (January 6th) — taking them down earlier was considered bad luck!

Global Christmas Tree Timeline 2025

September 1
Philippines 🇵🇭
The "Ber Months" begin! Jose Mari Chan plays everywhere, parols appear, and Christmas trees go up across the archipelago.
November 30
Advent Sunday 🕯️
Traditional start date for many Western Christian denominations. The fourth Sunday before Christmas marks the beginning of Advent.
December 6
St. Nicholas Day 🎅
Popular tree-decorating day in parts of Germany, Poland, and other Central European countries.
December 8
Italy 🇮🇹
Feast of the Immaculate Conception — the traditional day to set up Christmas trees and nativity scenes in Italian homes.
December 23
Scandinavia 🇸🇪
"Little Christmas Eve" in Nordic countries. Trees are often set up just a day before Christmas Eve, decorated with straw ornaments.
December 24
Germany & Austria 🇩🇪
Traditional German families decorate the tree in secret on Christmas Eve, revealing it to children in a magical moment.
January 7
Orthodox Christmas ☦️
Christmas Day for Orthodox Christians using the Julian calendar — trees decorated and celebrations in Russia, Serbia, Georgia, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the earliest I can put up my Christmas tree without being judged?
It depends entirely on your cultural context! In the Philippines, September 1st is perfectly acceptable. In the US, the day after Thanksgiving (late November) is a popular starting point. In the UK, the first weekend of December is most common. For traditionalists, Advent Sunday (the fourth Sunday before Christmas) is the "official" start. Bottom line: your tree, your rules — but know your audience if you're the first on the block!
What's the difference between a real tree and artificial tree timing?
Real trees should typically be purchased no earlier than December 1st to ensure freshness through Christmas. Most professionals recommend buying your real tree about 2-3 weeks before Christmas Day. Artificial trees have no such limitations — set them up whenever you like! Many families with artificial trees start as early as November to maximize enjoyment time.
Why do Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th?
Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7th due to the use of the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar used by Western Christianity. The Julian calendar runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, so December 25th on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 7th on the Gregorian calendar. Countries like Russia, Serbia, Georgia, and Ethiopia follow this tradition.
What are "Ber Months" in the Philippines?
The "Ber Months" refer to September, October, November, and December — all months ending in "-ber." This marks the unofficial start of the world's longest Christmas season in the Philippines. From September 1st, you'll hear Jose Mari Chan's "Christmas in Our Hearts" everywhere, see parol lanterns being sold, and watch Christmas trees appear in homes and malls. The celebration continues through January 6th (Three Kings Day).
When should I take my Christmas tree down?
Traditionally, Christmas decorations should be removed on Twelfth Night (January 5th evening) or Epiphany (January 6th). Some traditions extend this to Candlemas (February 2nd). Leaving decorations up past these dates was historically considered bad luck. In practice, most people take trees down in the first week of January, though some Orthodox traditions keep decorations until January 19th (Julian calendar Epiphany).