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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

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!

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

trisher Fri 28-Dec-18 23:15:34

Of course if you wanted to leave them up you could decide to celebrate with the Eastern Orthodox countries who have Christmas day on 6th Jan.

MawBroon Fri 28-Dec-18 22:52:04

The evening (not the eve) of Jan 6. The Feast of the Epiphany.
I always used to feel sorry for the Wise Men of our Nativity set as they stayed out of sight, just inching their way along the mantelpiece after Christmas Day and when they finally made it to the stable on Jan 6, oh no, wham! They and the whole crib got boxed up again for next year.

merlotgran Fri 28-Dec-18 22:45:02

Mine are coming down tomorrow. They went up at the beginning of December because we had an early Christmas family get together. I'm well and truly sick of them now.

phoenix Fri 28-Dec-18 22:41:11

Thank you all!

It looks like they will be taken down on Sunday 6th, unless of course it should be before midnight on the 5th?

MaizieD Fri 28-Dec-18 22:31:47

Traditionally Christmas started on 25th December and the festival lasted for 12 days, finishing on 6th January. I grew up in a family that observed that tradition and old habits die hard. Decorations go up on Christmas Eve and come down on Twelfth Night. I love the Christmas tree and hate seeing it go grin

But you pays your money and you takes your choice. Decorate at the beginning of December (or even earlier) and whip them down on Boxing Day or leave it really late and take them down later. There are no 'rules'.

trisher Fri 28-Dec-18 22:08:28

It's 6th Jan - 12th night and Epiphany. Long ago when I first started teaching schools never went back until after the 6th which was regarded as part of Christmas and a religious day-visitation of the 3 kings.

BlueBelle Fri 28-Dec-18 22:03:01

Mine will come down this weekend probably

rockgran Fri 28-Dec-18 21:39:05

As I understand it they shouldn't be left up after the twelfth night but can come down anytime before. I usually wait until the day after New Year then can't stand them any longer. I love the decorations but after 6th January I am positively offended by even a speck of glitter.

Lynne59 Fri 28-Dec-18 21:32:50

They can come down whenever you get sick of seeing them. There is no law to say otherwise. Do whatever makes you happy.

Grannybags Fri 28-Dec-18 21:19:38

Mine came down today. Family came on Boxing Day and we were too busy yesterday otherwise it would have been sooner.

Grannyknot Fri 28-Dec-18 20:28:13

Allegretto I'm like you - I love them ... when I see them coming, and when I see them going grin

It's amazing how quickly Christmas decs can start to look just a little bit sad once the day has passed!

Allegretto Fri 28-Dec-18 20:22:37

Mine came down on Boxing Day. I love getting them up and I love getting them down.

ginny Fri 28-Dec-18 20:22:12

Take them down whenever you feel like it, there is no law.

sodapop Fri 28-Dec-18 20:20:38

Decorations to be taken down on 6th Jan. That has always been my belief.

MiniMoon Fri 28-Dec-18 20:15:48

I take mine down on the 5th. Just to be on the safe side. I don't want any bad luck for the forthcoming year.

kittylester Fri 28-Dec-18 20:08:48

It's the 6th!! Or as I am having a birthday party on 6th - the 7th.