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Please could someone tell me when the decorations should be taken down?

(160 Posts)
phoenix Fri 28-Dec-18 19:32:42

You would think that at my age I should know this!

But every year we seem to go through the same thing!

Many thanks in advance,

Xxx

callgirl1 Fri 28-Dec-18 23:28:05

Mine always come down on January 6th, but they only go up a few days before Christmas.

M0nica Fri 28-Dec-18 23:33:40

Usually expected to be down by 6 Jan, but any time between Boxing day and then seems perfectly acceptable. For practical reasons, we usually go away for a week around 4 January, I take mine down on New Years Day or the day after.

MawBroon Fri 28-Dec-18 23:44:15

Let’s be realistic.
We are all adult women with our own households, so there is no “should” about it. Just as some people put them up when they like, you can take them down when you like.
My tradition may not be your tradition.

merlotgran Fri 28-Dec-18 23:51:58

The tradition in our house is DH starting to take down cards and asking if I want to keep any. He's very particular about this because one year his sister put their change of address in a card, he threw it out and I carried on sending stuff to her old address for years.

She was never one for keeping in touch and now we know why. grin

Bigred18 Sat 29-Dec-18 06:20:48

We've got hot x buns and Easter eggs in shops already in Sydney

NfkDumpling Sat 29-Dec-18 06:58:28

Oh, goodness - Nooooo Bigred!

We generally deck the house a few days before Christmas and our tree (artificial) stays up until the 6th, but cards and fresh greenery that’s died often get disposed of before hand. This year though everything went up early as we had friends round and everything will stay up until the 6th as DD1 and family are coming for the weekend for a late Twelth Night Christmas. Presents an’ all.

Urmstongran Sat 29-Dec-18 07:56:37

Traditionally they ‘should’ be down by 6th January but every household is different depending on choice. I know our SIL will take theirs down this weekend as it’s been up since about 5th December for the children and it’s looking a bit dried out now. We will put our decorations and tree away tomorrow (Sunday) as we are off to Malaga on NYE. Yay!

downtoearth Sat 29-Dec-18 08:14:46

Mine came down yesterday ..in readiness for my birthday ..today..I dont get many cards but fed up with my birthday and christmas cards fighting for space amongst christmas bits,so this year they came down early

mcem Sat 29-Dec-18 08:45:38

All went up on first Sunday of advent. Will stay in place over Hogmanay and New Year's Day so probably down on 4th/5th.
I always give close family members an individual tree decoration so was pleased to see yesterday that the Range have discounted their stock by 40%. Next year's purchases made and ready to be tucked away until needed!

Teetime Sat 29-Dec-18 09:08:36

I take our down on New Years Day and clean the house through - well DH does most of it while I clear out all the food in the fridge and buy fresh things.

Pittcity Sat 29-Dec-18 09:30:05

My answer came from Google. 12th night is the night of 5th/6th.
Mine will be down before then and spring cleaning will commence.

aggie Sat 29-Dec-18 09:40:37

I just put new batteries in most of the lights , so they are staying put till next week end

ninathenana Sat 29-Dec-18 09:43:36

I've never seen the point of leaving them up until Twelfth Night. We have always had a family meal on NYD and I like them up for that but they come down on 2nd.

bikergran Sat 29-Dec-18 09:45:49

mine went down on 26th didnt put many up etc sat in box waiting to go back in loft smile

PECS Sat 29-Dec-18 10:15:41

Though traditionally on 12th night ours will be down before 4th as that is DH's birthday and it clears the mantlepiece for his cards! Also liked to get them down and away before I went back to work/ kids to school!

Margs Sat 29-Dec-18 10:28:35

Tear the whole lot down on Boxing Day and then stuff them away on the top of the wardrobe until next Xmas, otherwise they'll keep making you think (at least until Twelfth Night) "was it REALLY all bloody worth it?"

adaunas Sat 29-Dec-18 10:32:25

We’re having the GC on New Year's Eve while their parents go to a party, so the decorations will come down then. They like to help putting the baubles etc. away and I’m really happy to let them. Besides it means we start the New Year with a tidy house.

farview Sat 29-Dec-18 10:35:09

It's a personal choice but I always take mine down on the 6th? Epiphany,then always ..after cleaning but a lovely bunch of flowers or two .. usually daffodils to remind me ..next stop Spring ?

farview Sat 29-Dec-18 10:35:54

but not but.. blasted phone!!!

farview Sat 29-Dec-18 10:36:34

Aaagh it's done it again..BUY!!!

sue01 Sat 29-Dec-18 10:38:45

I read this morning that Her Majesty The Queen leaves hers up at Sandringham until Feb 6th ! Apparently that's the date her Father died and she goes there each year for a quiet day... and likes the decorations to be still there.

So to each their own !

Mine are already down. I love the pared back look after they're packed away. Big vases of pussy willow and forsythia instead - roll on Spring.

Witzend Sat 29-Dec-18 10:41:44

6th January here. I hate taking them down - I find January so bleak and depressing, at least for the first week or so..

Our tree still looks lovely, despite the fact that it went up on 5th Dec - far earlier than usual - because we had far-flung family coming to stay on the 6th for the usual pre Christmas get-together.

It's in a big bucket of wet gravel and drinking about a litre of water every day!

David1968 Sat 29-Dec-18 10:47:44

Technically it's the 6th Jan, but surely people just take down decorations when they choose to? Our small (potted) "living" tree won't be happy inside the house for too long, so over this weekend we'll be putting it into the (cooler) hall for a night or two, in preparation for putting it outside on the patio. We hope to bring it inside again, next year.

mande Sat 29-Dec-18 10:50:45

When the batteries run out!!

Legs55 Sat 29-Dec-18 10:51:30

My tree has been up since 1st December so I'm getting a bit bored by them nowthlgrin. I will start putting some of the decorations away after NYD, probably take tinsel off the tree but tree, lights & baubles will stay until 6th January. Wreaths may come down on 5th Jan & packed away for next year. Then it's back to moving furniture & spring clean my Lounge/Diner but not before 10th/11th as I've a busy few days at the beginning of the week I hate housework thlblush