Decorations down and away!

I am waiting for the delivery of a new vacuum cleaner as my old one has pretty much given up the ghost. Then I will be able to get rid of the last traces of tinsel.

All done - hoover put away - now for a sit down.

I started and took the cards down I need to go into the loft to get the boxes down before I do much more though. I did look at the draped voiles at the window in the dining room and washed them. Very dusty indeed as I discovered when I put some lights around the window. I cannot remember when I put them up. it was at least 5yrs ago but I think I am feeling like spring cleaning.

...back to the placenta. I googled for further information. The friend's wife is Russian. In Russia, China and other exotic lands, the burying of the placenta is of ceremonial significance.

It smells nice as it burns too gracesmum. But you have to mind out for "popping" in an open fire.

Old Christmas trees make very good kindling - DD and SIL were finishing off last year's in the wood burner when we were with them over Christmas!

Ana It is the friend's wife...

I think it will have to go in the freezer, or it will get very whiffy! I did read some time ago about someone cooking theirs and making pate or something! YUK!

Although when I kept sheep quite a few of them used to eat theirs, but there is a logical explanation for it.

I'm presuming the daughter is the one who gave birth, not the friend's wife, soop?

Nothing to do with Christmas decorations...so what's new!
Talk of tree spirits, reminds me that a friend's wife has kept the afterbirth, and will present it to her daughter [don't know when] so that she may bury it and grow a tree over it. I like the idea. I just wonder where it will be kept. Maybe the shed. Surely not in the fridge.

I am not surprised they removed the hats, somebody was suggesting we get up to mischief while the cat was away
Just letting us know who is in charge.

Ah yes phoenix. (knowing)

They probably came back from their Christmas Lunch and took them down.

Nice to read the folklore, jings. Thanks for the link . I have no superstitions, and I noticed the other day that a string of metal reindeer and christmas trees that I put across the top our kitchen door frame in December 2011 is still there. I expect it will stay there until we need to paint the door frame. The rest of the kitchen is a bit like that too, with DD's artwork from when she was six still in place, except where it has been removed to make room for some more artwork of hers. The Unicef 2011 calendar is till up too; I like the pictures.
This year's xmas tree is waiting outside to be shredded and added to the compost heap.

Oh yes! They've taken the Xmas smileys!

he he he! Sorreee Ana! (didn't see it!)

Good about the tree spirits though!

I always feel so sorry for our 3 Kings in our crib- I inch them nearer and nearer and then just as they get there - they get whisked away and back up to the loft. The donkey, sheep and cow get a decent innings as they are there for the duration. Baby Jesus hides behind the stable until Christmas Eve so he at least gets his 12 days, but not poor Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar Oi! Where have our festive smileys gone? I expect them to last until Twelfth Night - now I know how the Wise Men feel!!

Thanks, Jingl but I had already posted that link a day or two ago...

some little kids have done some interesting research here It seems it is the greenery that must be put out, to let the tree spirits back into the countryside. I expect bags can tell us more about them.

Mine are coming down today.

Ours are coming down today, a few came down yesterday. I'm pretty sure that life will happen if they are up or down over the next few days. It will be nice to have the house back to normal.

kitty mine are down but dumped on the spare bed!

Well, mine are down, but I got fed up so the boxes are still all over the place .

Then I decided to do the herb shelf and I'm really not in the mood now. Does it count if they are down but not put away

phoenix - mine are down! And now I'm all worried - having seen lots still up as I gawped into peoples' windows as I sat on the bus yesterday . My neighbours (of the Christmas tree called Norman) still have theirs up - I know this, because if I peer out of my kitchen window, and stand a bit on tiptoe, craning my neck to the left, I can see that they still have their cards up....he's an Anglican priest, so perhaps doesn't do 'pagan' superstitions like me , but will no doubt have the crib in situ to take Epiphany into account.
Think you may be right about Nordman/Norman !

Marelli perhaps your neighbours tree is of the Nordman Fir variety, so they just take out the "d" ? Could well be wrong!

I actually came to this thread looking for a definitive answer as to whether I should be taking the decorations down this coming Saturday, or should it be the Sunday!

Please advise, as although not especially superstitious, I could do with any bit of luck I can glean!