All gone …..

I will take all mine down on the 6th, just as my parents did before me.
I will miss it all though, as it looks so pretty.

Our tree went up on December 1st, mainly due to AC who has learning difficulties agitating for it! As we’ll have visitors on New Year’s Day, we’ll keep it up until the 2nd. For some reason, it feels as though the tree and decorations have only been on the go for a very short time this year, not for almost four weeks.

Bluebell I took mine down today too. I do me is all 😊

I am a traditionalist so it will be twelvth night before mine go away. Mind you today has been a get all the washing done, and the ordinary basic shopping done.The weather wasnt worth putting the washing out, but if it is dry in the morning I shall be pleased to get it out early and enjoy things being cleaned and in more of the normal order. Tonight is my night to get out the new calendar and put in all the appointments etc , and also now mark up my newly bought thin diary that goes in my bag with me , then that way I wont get double booked for days, but I do like this little gap where no one is expecting me to either arrive or visit or them to visit me so it is a free and easy time, and any clear dry days will be the signal to start my new year as I mean to go on, with picnic stuff and spare towels etc kept in the car so can take off at a moments notice and enjoy any good mornings that arrive and leave the jobs to the dark afternoons.

Not just you Bluebelle - I can't wait to get Christmas decorations down after Christmas - the freshness and tidiness of the house once its done really cheers me up. We leave outside lights up longer - usually until the batteries run out.
I love everything clear and organised for the new year.

Foxyferret

My neighbours decorate end of November and then remove everything on Boxing Day. Not being critical, each to their own.I don’t start until 15 December and they are there until twelfth night. I like the tradition as it reminds me of when I was a child.

Our are much the same. From the end of November the whole street is lit up throughout the night. On Boxing Day most of it disappears. We have less lights but they stay up from about a week before Christmas till 5th/6th January. Each to their own.

My neighbours decorate end of November and then remove everything on Boxing Day. Not being critical, each to their own.I don’t start until 15 December and they are there until twelfth night. I like the tradition as it reminds me of when I was a child.

undines it’s not a shame for me, I really like seeing it all gone and put away, it’s very different being in ‘Christmas mode’ with visitors and family and busy times
If you are in the house alone without visitors as your family is spread around the world, and your friends are all busy with their own families, I give myself a pat on the back for putting a tree up in the first place, albeit for a week or ten days. I joined in and was glad to take it down, put it away and look forward to brighter days moving on towards the hope of Spring
I am happy for you that you like your tree up for two months,
and I happily manage two weeks (just about) each to their own

Never before 12th night.

Our Christmas crap will remain in place until 12th night - I hate it but she who must be obeyed puts it up and takes it fun - complete waste of time, energy and money.

Mine will be down Wednesday can’t wait, aren’t I a misery! Roll on springtime.

Agree, mine will be down Wed as I have visitors tmw. I like everything away for New Year. 🤣

What a shame, in the cold, dark, depth of winter, to get rid of the cheery lights, and all the sparkle. Our tree goes up at the start of December, and often stays up until the beginning of February, emulating some ancient traditions. February 2nd is the pagan festival of Imbolc, when the earth begins to awaken and we can see that light really is gaining ground. Each to their own, of course, but my sparkles are firmly staying put for now!

Totally understand BlueBelle. When we had a large tree it often went well before new year - the day after Boxing Day was my aim - much to the amusement of our more traditional neighbours.

No large tree now. Our conservatory had three battery powered light up metal shapes on the window ledges, as the batteries gave shapes have been put away. One plugs in on a timer, I love the reflections so that will stay longer.

Some other bits and pieces will disappear tomorrow. The two table top trees in our sitting room will stay awhile as they take no space and the soft lights are very relaxing. We keep some fairy lights on shrubs in the garden, I call them my winter lights.

Each to their own for sure. Our small sitting room looks so much bigger once Christmas is put away and always feels like a new room.

I agree, we should all do what we are comfortable with. For me it’s decorative for Christmas the weekend before Christmas, never earlier (even if that means on Christmas Eve) and down on twelfth night. I love Christmas but it’s strictly only for Christmastide - never much more than the 12 days. I avoid shopping anywhere if they have Christmas gifts out before December (which does mean being well prepared and only using local butchers and markets) but that’s what suits me.

Our tree went up at the beginning of the month and will stay in situ till 12th night so over a month. But I do love it.

The branches in vases with little lights will stay on until Candle Mass which I think is 40 days after Christmas.

Perhaps I'll get the Christmas candles out for then, which I left in the boxes this year.

I'll remove the cards and bits and pieces from the shelves tomorrow but leave the tree until 12th night. We have a family birthday in early January and the birthday boy likes the tree to be there. I've not put too much up this year.

The branches in vases with little lights will stay on until Candle Mass which I think is 40 days after Christmas.

BlueBelle I'm with you. We didn't have a tree this year just a twinkly light garland over the fireplace. It was put away yesterday. If you don't have lots of visitors once it is over that's it, looking forward to Spring.

I’m all for the leaving the battery operated fairy lights and twinkly tea lights up until late January.
The addition of a few new plants (I like hyacinths) a glossy new calendar or two to hang up, this years wintery scene jumpers and jolly socks and slippers.
The perfect atmosphere for getting going with a complicated jigsaw puzzle and all the newest books, not to mention enough chocolates to last until next Christmas😊
I’m saving my “cleaning up” energy for February when I’ll throw myself into painting and wallpapering with renewed enthusiasm.

My tree is staying up a bit longer, after all! We’ve got visitors today and my cleaner is coming first thing tomorrow so I don’t have time to dismantle it all before then. It’ll be bright and cheery for new year anyway and I’ll take it down towards next weekend. Mind you, I’m not sure what day it is today so heaven knows when ‘next weekend’ will be!

alisonsmith4

It is Advent until December 25 (penitential season) and Christmas lasts until Jan 6 (Epiphany) or indeed Candlemas in some traditions. Whatever it is we think we are celebrating in November or even earlier it’s NOT Christmas!

Advent began on 30th November in 2025.

Our decorations need to be sorted, we have boxes full accumulated over many years, some inherited too.

Mañana, mañana!

Even a post like this seems to bring out the worst in some people.
I was going to take my trees down today but may have visitors towards the wknd so thought better leave it up a while longer.

It is Advent until December 25 (penitential season) and Christmas lasts until Jan 6 (Epiphany) or indeed Candlemas in some traditions. Whatever it is we think we are celebrating in November or even earlier it’s NOT Christmas!

I am with you Bluebelle. I live alone and when I came back from my Daughter's having spent Christmas with the family I have taken my small amount of decorations down. Plants back in place but not got to the hoovering just yet. It usually takes me a day to come around after the festivities. Again |I am with you, I really dislike people telling me what to do.