After Bonfire Night, opinions split in my household: I believe festive decorations immediately become fair game; my partner starts muttering something about waiting until December (I never hear his full argument over the sound of clinking baubles and Christmas carols, though).
Usually, my slight over-eagerness wins out – we’ve already got some paper stars up. And, as it happens, this year even the most traditional tree-erecting rules (Advent) say our festive firs should be out in November.
What is Advent?
According to Britannica, Advent comes from the Latin word “Adventus,” meaning “coming”.
In the Christian faith, it refers to the coming of Christ (which is the event celebrated at Christmas) and marks the start of the church’s liturgical year. It falls four Sundays before Christmas Day.
However, this schedule has not always been the same. For instance, under Bishop Perpetuus of Tours (461–490), Advent used to involve a fasting period which began on 11 November.
Traditionally, Christmas trees have been put up on the first day of Advent. Often, that actually falls in late November, not December.
Real Christmas trees typically last anywhere from four to six weeks before drying out – to be on the safe side, wait until at least the 27th to avoid a litter of brown pine needles carpeting your floor by the big day.
When is Advent in 2026?
In 2026, it falls on Sunday, 29 November and ends on Christmas Day.
Wait – what are the 12 days of Christmas, then?
You might link Christmas trees, Advent calendars, and more to the 12 days of Christmas – which I always thought were the dozen days in the lead-up to the event itself.
But no; per Christian theology, the 12 Days Of Christmas runs from 25 December (the birth of Jesus) until 6 January (Epiphany).
6 January also goes by Three Kings Day because that’s the day the Magi (the three wise men) are believed to have met Jesus.
English Heritage says that Advent was actually a time of “austerity and abstinence” in Tudor England. In the 12 days of Christmas, however, many would celebrate:
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Christmas Eve (24 December)
This was kept as a “strict fast”. -
Christmas Day (25 December)
Celebrations began with Midnight Mass and ended with a feast. -
The Feast of St. Stephen (26 December)
This day was for charity, inspired by St Stephen. -
The Feast of St. John (27 December)
This was celebrated by drinking wine, ale, or “Lambs Wool,” a spiced ale with apples. -
Childermas (28 December)
Childermas commemorated King Herod’s massacre of children in Bethlehem. Tudor children were left “in charge” of their households. -
New Year’s Eve (31 December)
This was all about games, sports, and fun. -
New Year’s Day (1 January)
Traditionally, nobles gave monarch extravagant gifts on this day (and hoped for lavish pressies back). -
Twelfth Night (5 January)
This was the last official day of Christmas and was marked by feasts, plays, and games.
