When do you remove holiday decor?

[Nancy OShea]

I'm not one of those neighbors who leaves their holiday lights up year-round.  But I'm ashamed to admit that finding time to un-decorate is a real challenge this time of year.  I have a lot to do and the weather is not being very cooperative.

I know, I know.  No excuses. 

What do you think is a reasonable cut-off date for holiday decor?

[Szalam · Accepted solution]

Epiphany Sunday. The end of the 12 days of Christmas.

[Nancy OShea]

Szalam wrote:

Epiphany Sunday. The end of the 12 days of Christmas.

OK.  What if you're a traditional Orthodox & celebrate Christmas on Jan 7, wouldn't that make Jan 19 the 12th day of Chirstmas?   Or am I grasping at straws here?

Nancy

[jane-e]

Nancy OShea wrote:

OK. What if you're a traditional Orthodox & celebrate Christmas on Jan 7, wouldn't that make Jan 19 the 12th day of Chirstmas? Or am I grasping at straws here?

Nancy

If you are traditional Orthodox, then you are celebrating on December 25 on the Julian calendar, aka January 7 on the Gregorian calendar. You have Advent, followed Christmas, followed by Epiphany. The twelve days of Christmas is part of the church calendar.

But if you have live tree, please take it down before it becomes a fire hazard.

Don't be like the six people in Annapolis who died in a fire on January 19, 2014.

[Cactus Cowboy]

I think it's just family tradition lest so around here. Some folks 'round my neck of the woods take 'em down the day after Christmas. Then there's them that wait until the day after New Year. But there's whole bunch that just never seem to take 'em down and want Christmas to last forever. I reckon in your case you'll just have to wait until you find some free time (weather permitting) and the gumption to get around to climbing ladders and twineing lights into boxes for next season...lord willing. 

[pziecina]

I don't think it really matters Nancy.

I know many think that the 12th night is when it should be done, but this did not happen until the 19th century. Prior to that it was sometime in February, (sorry cannot remember the actual date).

Middle of summer though, would be a little excessive

[Nancy OShea]

pziecina wrote:

I don't think it really matters Nancy.

Well it does if you have a strict condo or home owners association to deal with.

My last HOA had all sorts of rules about excessive lights, signage, props, x-mas tree disposal, etc...   My current one is pretty lax, but if I wait 'til St Patrick's Day, they might get a bit prickly.

[Ussnorway]

Nancy OShea wrote:

pziecina wrote:

I don't think it really matters Nancy.

Well it does if you have a strict condo or home owners association to deal with.

My last HOA had all sorts of rules about excessive lights, signage, props, x-mas tree disposal, etc... My current one is pretty lax, but if I wait 'til St Patrick's Day, they might get a bit prickly.

the 12 rules of x-mas just doesn't have the same vibe to it imo

[Chuck Uebele]

I solve the problem by not putting up decorations. That way, I don't have to worry about when to take them down.

[jane-e]

If I were the OP Nancy OShea​, I would mark Chuck Uebele​'s answer as correct!

[jane-e]

jane-e wrote:

If I were the OP Nancy OShea, I would mark Chuck Uebele's answer as correct!

...and yet..a mere half an hour after my suggestion, Randy Hufford​ decided Epiphany Sunday is correct!

I actually concur, but still take them down on a day that it's convenient—usually a weekend.

[Cactus Cowboy]

Come on Nancy, 'fess-up, I bet you had your husband take 'em down an hour before or after you posted this question didn't you?

[Nancy OShea]

Nope.  It's been raining steadily with high gusty winds here.  And more rain is in the forecast.

In the meantime, I stayed up late one night & took down the tree & ornaments.  I have yet to box up everything in the garage, however.  It's too cold.

[Pariah Burke]

We usually take them down on New Year's Day or the weekend after. When there's snow on the ground, however, we leave up for a few more weeks.

[Nancy OShea]

We finally got a break in the weather yesterday (ML King Day).  I am happy to report the Christmas stuff is down & packed up for next year. 

The more I think about it, @Chuck Uebele's got the right idea.  Just don't put them up .

Nancy

[Cactus Cowboy]

I wouldn't suggest going as far as not putting them up. If having Christmas decorations is a tradition then carry on. I've come to the conclusion that it's all for the kids anyway and has become to commercialized to the point that it has lost it's original meaning. If you don't have young ones at home any longer then maybe it's time to break with tradition and not put as "many" up as you normally did but a few can't hurt. Just try not to out-do the Jones next door. Even if you win you lose.

[scotts13523424]

Hehe! I'm the opposite! I hate clutter so ASAP after Christmas day for me! - bah humbug!

[theupsstore4643]

Reminds me of that time I left my tree up all year (artificial of coarse). But in Feb I added hearts, in May flowers, stars and stripes for July and so forth...it was quite the conversation piece. Either lazy or artistic it is one to remember.

[Pariah Burke]

theupsstore4643  wrote

Reminds me of that time I left my tree up all year (artificial of coarse). But in Feb I added hearts, in May flowers, stars and stripes for July and so forth...it was quite the conversation piece. Either lazy or artistic it is one to remember.

What a great idea! I choose to characterize that as artistic.