When Is It Time To Part With Your Christmas Tree In Lubbock?

Let’s call this a No-Tree Tuesday, shall we?

Every year around this time, the same debate pops up like a strand of tinsel you can’t quite get rid of: When are you supposed to take the Christmas tree down? Is there an official cutoff? A universally agreed-upon date when the holidays are truly over and you’re supposed to move on?

Let me tell you right now—if that tree is still bringing you joy, leave it up… as long as it’s artificial. I don’t see why happiness should have an expiration date. If a lit tree makes your living room feel warmer or less bleak in January, then congratulations—you’ve found a small win in the dead of winter (even though it's hot in Lubbock).

Artificial Trees: Joy Has No Deadline

Artificial trees don’t dry out, don’t shed needles, and don’t slowly turn into a fire hazard. They’re basically décor with zero consequences. If your fake tree is still making you smile, it can stay right where it is. Seasonal joy doesn’t need permission.

Real Trees: Time’s Up

On the other side of this coin are people with real trees. At this point, it’s time to get that thing out of your house. One year, just for fun, we had friends bring their old Christmas trees over for a burn party, and the results were honestly shocking. Dried Christmas trees don’t burn slowly. They don’t crackle. They go WHOOSH. Instant flames—twice the size of the tree—faster than anything I’ve ever seen outside of straight gasoline. If you still have a real tree indoors, you’re basically keeping a giant tinder bundle in your living room.

How Lubbock Makes It Easy

If you’re in Lubbock and need to get rid of a real tree, the city makes it simple. Lubbock residents can recycle live Christmas trees at the four Citizen Convenience Stations through January:

• 208 Municipal Drive

• 1631 84th St

• 7308 Milwaukee Ave

• 4307 Adrian St

What’s cool is that the trees are ground into mulch, which residents can pick up for free year-round while supplies last. That’s useful, responsible, and way safer than any backyard experiment.

Read More: How Lubbock's LBK Scanner Squad Captures Local Quirkiness

Why Today Matters

If you need an official excuse to finally take the tree down, today is National Take Down Your Christmas Tree Day. The reason is simple: the actual 12 Days of Christmas ended last night. Despite what many of us grew up thinking, the 12 Days don’t lead up to Christmas—they start on Christmas Day and end on January 5th. So yes, Christmas is officially over. Emotionally? That part is still up to you.