Taken the decs down yet?

But you will be pine fresh Elegran!

I always pot up some indoor bulbs for this time of year. Now the decorations are down they are replaced with hydrangeas in full bloom already and a few amaryllis just about to bloom. Puts me in a Spring mood.

Thank you Ariadne and some for you too

I have got somuch to do tomorrow! Take down the decs, dust, vacuum etc. catch up on holiday bed washing and ironing, sort fridge and freezer. We usually put down an old sheet to catch the tree needles, but last year I tried to do it on my own, very quickly, when DH was out. No sheet bothered with - needles horrendous!

At least I got rid of all the remaining puff pastry from the freezer this morning by making it all into sausage rolls and mince pies, before my oven blew up. Phew!

I feel sad that it's all over.

Got all Christmas stuff put away yesterday and now DHs birthday cards are in the dresser in place of the Christmas cards!
Am impressed with all the vacuuming and cleaning! Will need to reflect on that and decide if I can fit it into a schedule somewhere!

on the dresser,not in it!!

The family went home Friday evening. It is taking me nearly three days to clear all the decorations, thoroughly clean and tidy the house and get the trees to the tip, the decorations back into the loft and send on all the plethora of little things left behind, despite all of us combing the house from top to toe before DS & family left.

We are off to our house in France for a week tomorrow evening and I want it all sorted before we go so that when we return the house it is to a house that is clean and tidy and ready for us to resume our lives in the UK in the new year.

I took mine down earlier (Monday) and then just went into the garden and realised I haven't taken the one down which I put up in the garden. I bought a real tree two Christmases ago and because it looked so lovely I have kept it in the garden and decorated it out there. Ah well.

Tree and decorations down on Monday morning, amazing how many needles an artificial tree can drop

All gone 'til next year. (except for a little silver bird. He got forgotten one year and now lives permanently ontop of a picture)

I've just spent the whole morning taking my decorations down, and packing them into the 6 big boxes now stacked neatly on top of our wardrobe (that was the tricky bit). I now just have a bare tree sitting in the corner next to a pile of old holly, waiting to be moved outside when the DH gets home from work, and a lot of vacuuming to do when I summon up the energy. It's a shame to have to lose the tree - it's a beauty this year and has shed hardly any needles.

I wish I'd read Pittcity's post earlier re leaving greenery up till Candlemas. I haven't the energy to start putting all the holly and ivy back up, but I'll remember that next year (possibly!).

I know I'll get used to it soon enough, but the house looks sad and bare.

Taking a short break from doing it now!

I thought I finished it yesterday, but have found no less than eight standing items today. This includes my musical hamster-angel so I was able to have a quick little jog to Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, before taking her upstairs.

I sometimes wish we could leave them out all year. They are like little friends. ()

If you would like your tree to keep on providing fun after you have finished with it, contact your nearest zoo or animal park. Many of them accept trees to add enrichment to their animals. Lion plays with Christmas tree

Googling zoo and Christmas tree brings up a lot of press stories and photos.

We are now decoration and tree free, but the house looks so bare and desolate now. I`m going to miss my little clock chiming carols every hour, hubby bought it as a Christmas pressie about 10 years ago, and I love it.

All done yesterday- the lounge looks twice the size and lovely- tore the front of the cards to give to local nursery to use next year for 'collage'- only vestige of Christmas is the poinsettia.

DD2 wont let me take all of them down. Oh well.
I dont mind waiting a few more days myself either.

Mine all came down on New Years Eve - except for the small LED tree that changes colour, think I will keep it glowing until the days are a bit brighter.

I just feel so miserable because it's all over. Nobody dragging me out for a look round the shops. No one arguing with each other in the background. No one cooking me delicious dinners. No lights. No mince pies. No Xmas cake. Just DH watching a boring ancient tv programme, and waiting for me to cook his dinner. I think I'm going to have a quiet cry.

I do more visiting people in January. Hopefully lifts their spirits and mine.
I still have a few mince pies left, and christmas cake. I have to do shopping as lots of birthdays coming up.
Can you tell I try and eke out christmas as long as I can?

Tree,decorations and all lights inside and out are now down,looks so bare,Holly Balls still on hanging basket brackets outside though.

My new cooker is being delivered tomorrow. I will celebrate by buying the best pizza that Marks and Sparks can offer, and heating it in my fan oven. . #cooking

An hour ago the outside lights, which I am keeping up a bit longer, were looking very cheerful. Now, one of the strings seem to have failed. Things are going from bad to worse!

Even better - make your own, it's so easy.

One of our best purchases in past few years has been a pizza stone- brilliant. Also used for making naan bread.

I've got a pizza stone. Used to make my own. Not worth the effort. IMHO. All that dough rising.

#lazygit