When do you take down your Christmas Decorations?

[Sara]

When do you take down your Christmas Decorations?

[surmick]

January 13th, it is a German tradition that my mother instilled in me.

[Sara]

I am already itching to take them down. I get so excited to put them up, but after a while it just seems like clutter and I want to clear it all out. The tree and everything will be down by Friday :D

[barb]

Whenever we feel like it. I've been known to take them down the day after Christmas.

When we lived on base the housing rules said that outside decorations needed to be taken down no later than January 5.

[Brookepanda]

we take ours down on xmas day...in the afternoon so i chose 'other'

[ktjo17]

We take ours down before New Years. One year, when I was still a teenager living at home we left them up until April. It's funny now...but the reason was that my grandma was really sick (she had cancer) all through January and died at the end of the month and then we were all too depressed to do anything about it.

[Lorah]

We normally take it down before New Years. This year I have no idea...it depends on what other activities are going on :giggle

[jellybeanmichelle]

New Year's Day was the ritual for us growing up.

[meeg124]

Usually the inside stuff gets taken down the day after Christmas. Outside decorations may be the weekend after Christmas since that is Scott's responsibility.

[surmick]

I must add that even though the most of the decorations come down on the 13th, Santa stays up all year round.
http://members.cox.net/zaxxon111/santa1.jpg

[Lorah]

I must add that even though the most of the decorations come down on the 13th, Santa stays up all year round.
http://members.cox.net/zaxxon111/santa1.jpg

:lol Serious?

[jellybeanmichelle]

I must add that even though the most of the decorations come down on the 13th, Santa stays up all year round.

Oh goodness, that freaky thing? :giggle
My Aunt has one. She put it in her guest bathroom last year. Anytime someone went in, she would get on the mic and start talking. Scared the crap out of some people. :lol Thankfully not me!

She didn't have it out this year.

[Lorah]

Anytime someone went in, she would get on the mic and start talking. Scared the crap out of some people. .

:biglaugh

That's AWESOME!

[MamaLaura]

A few days to a week after New Years

[Leigh]

New Year's Day was the ritual for us growing up.

:yeah We also take the decorations down Jan 1 or 2.

Though I understand the folks who leave them out until mid-Jan. The "12 days of Christmas" BEGINS on Christmas. I guess the story is (please correct me if I am wrong, someone!) that since Jesus is said to be born on Christmas day, then the Star of Bethlehem shone in the sky, THEN the wise men followed it and it took them 12 days to get there.... thus the "12 days of Christmas."

If Christmas decorations are up any longer than that, then I start to look askance. :lol

.

[surmick]

:lol Serious?

Yes seriously, I think that is one of the reasons that Amelia did not freak out when we took her pictures. I told my mom, "Why would she be scared of Santa? he lives at our house year round."

I tried to take him down last year and she freaked on me so he stuck. Not sure what I would do with out him now. She is always talking on his mic and likes to dance with him.

[becky]

if i had it my way it would be the day after xmas but dh loves to keep the tree up till new years so I am usually begging him by then to get rid of the tree which usually means its gone a few days later

[My3sonsplus1]

:yeah We also take the decorations down Jan 1 or 2.

Though I understand the folks who leave them out until mid-Jan. The "12 days of Christmas" BEGINS on Christmas. I guess the story is (please correct me if I am wrong, someone!) that since Jesus is said to be born on Christmas day, then the Star of Bethlehem shone in the sky, THEN the wise men followed it and it took them 12 days to get there.... thus the "12 days of Christmas."

.
I will have to see if I can find reference for the 12 days but it has nothing to do with the wisemen in a literal translation :) ETA: It is the day some christians celebrate the visit but much like Jesus was likely not born on Dec 25th, the wiseman did not visit him at 12 days old.

Jesus was between 40 days and 2 years old when he was visited by the magi also translated wisemen

from:http://www.orlutheran.com/html/magifaq.html

8. How old was Jesus when the magi visited Him?

The Biblical data to guide us in answering this is as follows. (1) We know from Luke's Gospel (2:21) that Jesus was circumcised at 8 days old; (2) We also know from Luke 2:22-24, that when the 40 days of Mary's "uncleanness" had passed (see Leviticus 12:1ff.), they presented Jesus, their first born son in the temple in Jerusalem, according to God's Law (Exodus 13:2ff.; Numbers 3:13, 8:17. (3) Herod asked the magi when they had first seen the star (Matthew 2:7) and on this basis later killed all of the male children in Bethlehem, age two and under (Matthew 2:16). In addition to this, there is (4), that the magi came during the reign of King Herod, whom we know died in 4 BC;

On this basis we can lay out the following with a fair amount of certainty. Jesus was between 41 days and 2 years old when the magi arrived. The magi had to have come after Jesus' presentation in the temple, that is, after Jesus was 40 days old. Why? Because, Matthew's Gospel tells us that after the magi departed, an angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt, since Herod would seek to kill Jesus. According to Scripture, Joseph left that very night and went to Egypt (2:13-15). This would have left no time or opportunity for the presentation in the temple, which we know happened.

Is the fact that Herod killed all Bethlehem boys age 2 and under evidence that Jesus was 2? Not necessarily. First, the murder of these little ones does not necessarily mean that the magi told him that the star had appeared two years before. They could have told him a lesser number and ruthless Herod might have chosen two years in order to "take no chances." Second, if the magi did tell him that the star had appeared two years before, this also does not necessarily mean that Jesus was 2. The star could have appeared before Jesus was born, giving the magi advanced notice.

[howardvm]

Jan 1 will mark the end of the Christmas season for us:( This is my favorite time of year!

[My3sonsplus1]

We will likely take our down pretty early. I just couldn't get into the decorating aspect this year so we bought a "live tree" from TJ's, though dh says it is a juniper BUSH, like a week ago and it doesn't hold ornaments well so it is very sparsly decorated and annoying me. The kids keep running off with the knick knacks and it is more a headache than it is fun or beautiful.

[colleen&Kail]

we usually take it down within the first week of january...

[CrystalD]

We take ours down a little past the first of Jan.

[momtoM&D]

Usually New Year Day, sometimes before. Last year our tree was dropping needles like crazy and I couldn't stand it anymore. It came down the 26th!

[Lorah]

Yes seriously, I think that is one of the reasons that Amelia did not freak out when we took her pictures. I told my mom, "Why would she be scared of Santa? he lives at our house year round."

I tried to take him down last year and she freaked on me so he stuck. Not sure what I would do with out him now. She is always talking on his mic and likes to dance with him.

That's sooo funny! I knew I liked your humor! ;)

[tcolera]

DH and I stay up and tear it all down Christmas night after the kids go to bed. We decorate on black firday so we are sick of them by now.

[Theresa]

i'm thinking this weekend for the tree. i want the lights to stay on the house though. :giggle

[ladybish]

usually the weekend after the first. I like continuing the holiday season to include new years.

[hlebakos]

usually the weekend after the first. I like continuing the holiday season to include new years.

I agree. Plus my dad will be out here the first week of Jan., so I want to pretend that we are still in the x-mas season.

Do you guys have those neighbors that leave the lights up all year long, but don't turn them on, they just hang there? We have two in our area. One family doesn't even turn the lights on for x-mas, they must like to just look at the bulbs all year long. It makes DH chuckle.

[hlebakos]

Anyone ever burn their tree in the fireplace? I hear it is the STUPIDEST thing you could do. well... i didn't know that... and two years ago, I pitched our tree into the fireplace..... WHOOSH.... CRACKLE... CRACKLE..... it was gone in a flash and so were some of my eyelashes. :bag

[Leigh]

I agree. Plus my dad will be out here the first week of Jan., so I want to pretend that we are still in the x-mas season.

Do you guys have those neighbors that leave the lights up all year long, but don't turn them on, they just hang there? We have two in our area. One family doesn't even turn the lights on for x-mas, they must like to just look at the bulbs all year long. It makes DH chuckle.

Oh, yeah, we have neighbors like that out here on the River. This one guy has umpteen projects going on at once, and not a one of them ever finished before he starts umpteen+1. :shake So the lights are hardly even on the radar of eyesores....

.

[Theresa]

so what does that make me if i *leave* the lights up and *turn* them on? :lol

they are just so pretty that i don't want roy to take them down! :lol

[wyattsmama]

i would continue to leave it up through new years, but i know i'll be itching to tke it down the day after since wyatt's big xmas present is going to have a home where the xmas tree now is. i'm tired of how cluttered the tree make me feel :(

[becky]

I must add that even though the most of the decorations come down on the 13th, Santa stays up all year round.
http://members.cox.net/zaxxon111/santa1.jpgoh goodness. that is how i am but with my grim reaper. my girls are not scared of that but now its shelsea's turn to be scared of santa :lol

[becky]

i'm thinking this weekend for the tree. i want the lights to stay on the house though. :gigglei wanna keep our lights up too.

this year was the first time picking and cutting down our own tree. the needles are falling off like crazy so i doubt it will make it to new years. we barely touch some branches and the needles just fall off like crazy. i don't know if its the bread or what but its driving me nuts

[becky]

Do you guys have those neighbors that leave the lights up all year long, but don't turn them on, they just hang there? We have two in our area. One family doesn't even turn the lights on for x-mas, they must like to just look at the bulbs all year long. It makes DH chuckle.yup i was one of those people. its so much work to put them up that i hate taking them down. we don't do that anymore though but its easier since we don't put up that many.

[becky]

Anyone ever burn their tree in the fireplace? I hear it is the STUPIDEST thing you could do. well... i didn't know that... and two years ago, I pitched our tree into the fireplace..... WHOOSH.... CRACKLE... CRACKLE..... it was gone in a flash and so were some of my eyelashes. :bag:lol does the out side fireplace count? we did that last year and myah had a blast. DH says we are going to do that again this year too. its something we have always done for some reason. we do cut it up first and only burn it little by little but it means we have a long fire for the night

[becky]

so what does that make me if i *leave* the lights up and *turn* them on? :lol

they are just so pretty that i don't want roy to take them down! :lolserisously? well i knew there was a reason we are friends.i would do that too if we had our own place. my neighbors would likely think i am crazy but since i already know i am there wouldn't be a news flash about it :lol You have to show me your lights on sat. I want to see them.

[becky]

i'm tired of how cluttered the tree make me feel :(i am the same way too. I don't mind the decorations so much but the tree drives me nuts. i am always itching to get that thing out. last year i took it down and left it in the back yard with the ornaments and lights on it until DH helped me to put it all away a couple weeks later. sometimes i think if we had a fake tree he would leave that up all year :rolleyes

[Kellie_MO5]

We usually take them down the first week of the new year

[MamaLaura]

I lied.

I took mine down Christmas night lol I had the tote out to put away all the wrapping stuff that was annoyingly in my way, so I decided to put everything else away while I was at it. Only things left up are the lights around the sliding glass door (outside) and the garland around the front door (also outside). I just need help taking them down because I'm so short and Brian helped me put them up.

[tcolera]

Our tree came down today and it was not soon enough. I am so relieved to have my house back again.:)

[Brookepanda]

:yeah me too :D
I love xmas and all, but once xmas has come and gone...I'm so ready for the tree to be gone!

[Sara]

Ours was gone on the 26th :D It feels so good and the house seems way cleaner and less cluttered. I love Christmas and all, but can only take so much of the decorations.

[Shanta]

DH likes to take it down before New Years But I like it sometime after the 3rd and before v-day.
I think I will make him wait until the middle of January because he took it down last year the day after x-mas. (evil :) )

[meeg124]

DH likes to take it down before New Years But I like it sometime after the 3rd and before v-day.
I think I will make him wait until the middle of January because he took it down last year the day after x-mas. (evil :) )

Until right before Valentine's Day?!?

[KaisaG]

I have to take Tuesday off because my daycare is closed that day. I am planning to take them down that day. My cousin is going to come by and help me decide where to hang a bunch of new pics too.

[My3sonsplus1]

Ummmm my husband just put UP the Charlie Brown fake tree we bought at Grocery Outlet. Said something about the 12 days of Christmas after I asked him if he knew Christmas was over :giggle. So apparently ours aren't put away yet...

[Theresa]

i took ours down on the 26th. it's the earliest i've ever done it before. it was so much faster taking it down!

my other decorations are still up though. :)

[tggrr2]

My tree and garland on the stairs are still up. My sister helped me tonight take everything else and put away. It's nice to have everything put away but in a way I miss it.

[Shanta]

Until right before Valentine's Day?!?

After Jan 3 and before February 14 :)

Mostly told DH that to get under his skin.. He is being a PITA. He has 2 weeks off work and thinks he gets to be a lazy bum the whole time...

[Brookepanda]

After Jan 3 and before February 14 :)

Mostly told DH that to get under his skin.. He is being a PITA. He has 2 weeks off work and thinks he gets to be a lazy bum the whole time...

OMG dh has been off work too....this whole not shaving business is going to bring the death of me!!!! :shake

[Shanta]

OMG dh has been off work too....this whole not shaving business is going to bring the death of me!!!! :shake

:giggle Ok my DH is still shaving so I guess I should be happy... but WTF We had plans for all 5 of us to go to the snow for 4 days and he decided he doesn't want to go because "its too much work" So I say fine lets do some day trips. Friday we had planed to go to the exploraturium and he doesn't get his Tush into the shower until 11:30 int he bleeding morning... by the time he is ready its lunch time and then nap time....


:giggle sorry for the tread jack...

[clairitygirl]

January 6 th :)

[Leigh]

Took down the tree today. :( The earliest I have ever done it! Usually take down on New Year's Day (Jan 1).

We're leaving the outdoor lights up the rest of the week, though! :D

.

[erin anne]

Probably the 7th of Jan.

[becky]

i took our tree down today too. i have never taken it down before new years but there was so many needles i couldn't take it anymore. by the time i was done half the tree was bald and i had a HUGE pile of needles on the floor. its nice to have my living room back. the lights are staying up for at least another week though.

[Theresa]

the rest of the decorations were put away today. roy's taking the lights off of the house and putting the 3 strings of white lights in our tree.

[lmfike]

Tree and inside decorations came down yesterday. Not sure when dh plans to take the lights down off the house. Tree was getting to be a pain since where we have to put it puts in in the pathway for tossing the ball for the dog. And she can never completely miss the tree when running for her ball.

[meeg124]

I finally got everything packed away today and some of the outside stuff pulled down. Now if I can just get Scott to put all the boxes away, take down the tree and the lights off of the house, we'll be back to normal!

[surmick]

Everything is still up and I am still playing Christmas tunes on the CD. I will not go down without a fight!!!!!

[meeg124]

Everything is still up and I am still playing Christmas tunes on the CD. I will not go down without a fight!!!!!

:lol

[Shanta]

Everything is still up and I am still playing Christmas tunes on the CD. I will not go down without a fight!!!!!

A women after my own heart :hug

[Lorah]

just took inside decor down today...the outside stuff probably this weekend

[weg'smom]

So I replied even though I don't have Christmas decorations. We do decorate for Hanukkah though. I take down the Hanukkah stuff on the last day or the day after the 8th night. I am always soooooo ready for the holidays to be over. I don't dislike the holiday season but I find all the traveling, buying, decorating, and cooking a bit overwhelming so it's nice to say farewell to December.

[surmick]

My towns are still up but my trees are down. I did that last weekend. :giggle