Putting up Christmas decorations can be exciting, but taking them down and packing them away feels like a chore. It's difficult to switch from an array of festive lights to the bleakness of the rest of the winter. Redditor 1s0m3r posed the question of everyone's traditional schedule in taking Christmas decorations down. The most common answer seems to be after January 6th, which is Orthodox Christmas, Epiphany, Three Kings Day, or the 12th day of Christmas. Coming in second was soon after New Year's Day. Some leave them up much longer because they dread the work, or have another family occasion to celebrate. Some folks just take down the Santa Clauses and leave the tree to be decorated for Mardi Gras or Valentine's Day. And some people just leave all the decorations up until they are good and ready to say goodbye to them, maybe around Easter.
I prefer the gradual approach. I stashed all the wrapping paper and ribbon first, then Christmas clothing as it's washed. Around New Year's Day I pack the tree ornaments away, but I will leave the tree and lights up until Epiphany, at least. I have so many lights, inside and out, that it will take a week to pack them away, because I don't like to spend all day doing anything. What about you?
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Yeah this has been an annual discussion over the last 20+ years that get shorter and shorter each time. There is no compromise. And each year, the number of real gifts goes down and gift cards tick up. I look forward to the season a lot less now. To me, it's not at all the religious tradition of "honoring" that's violated, but the interpersonal aspect of actually caring enough to put real thought and effort into gifting.
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Wow, that's a bummer, have you voiced your displeasure or would dump the whole job on you as well as raise ire? I realize the cash /gift cards are a smart choice, very practical, but I don't like it. What if the three wise guys had sent gift cards? How would the mother and child know if the guys just told their secretary to do the honoring?
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Up black friday, down new years day. I have those days off anyway and usually nothing else planned.
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5th January
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Everything stays up until Epiphany, then the outside lights stay off. Taking them down is very weather dependent, especially the roof lines. Some years it's quick, others not until February or later. Inside decorations usually take a while. The real tree goes first because fire hazard and getting it out in time for recycling pickup. Some of the 'wintry' stuff will stay up until Spring.
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