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

Ooh - I've hated that tree since the day it went up! It blocks the light from the window and makes my room so dark! Once it comes down it will be off to Emmaus and I shall buy a smaller, lighter one next year - maybe white or snow flocked. And the clutter on the mantlepiece - why did I do it? In fact, as soon as I've finished my coffee, out it all goes!

I have started this morning, cards etc but have left the outside lights, not sure why. I really do not like all the clutter.

This year is our Golden Wedding Anniversary and we'll be away from 4th January. So they'll be taken down on January 3rd.

Take em down when you like, what's it matter?

My mum told me that the bishop of the diocese where she lives has decreed that the crib should remain in churches until the Feast of the Purification which is February!!!! Everyone will be sick of the sight of it by then!

already down and after yesterdays lovely day looking forward to spring!

Christmas is 12 days for me so decorations go up Christmas Eve and that way I am not sick of them before 12th night!

Have just put the tree back outside. Cards will come down tomorrow.

Yup!

Ours were packed away today. Feel purged! (And less dusty).

Like most people, I used to think that 12th night was the same as Epiphany (6 Jan) and that it was unlucky to take them down before or have them up after. But DH was able to prove to me that it should be 5 January.

My daughter was born on January 10th. We always left the decorations up until 11th, as she liked them so much. I think she started complaining about them when she was about 10. Now 40 years later she takes hers down on January 5th and I take mine down on January 6th.
It all depends on how you count the 12 days.
Have a great weekend!

Here in Germany you don't put the tree and Christmas decorations up till Christmas eve, as Advent decorations are up all December. Then they stay up till 6 Jan. It used to be Candlemas (2 Feb) .I think that was changed probably at the time of the 2nd Vatican Council. (1962) That applies only to the Catholic community of course, which we are pretty much steeped in where I live.

Of course the Vatican Council didn't decide on Christmas trees, it just rearranged the Church year a little, decreeing that the Christmas cycle finished at Epiphany rather than Candlemas. I am happy to be corrected or pointed to the Anglican version of this, as I am only citing from vague memories.

For me it's New Years Day. A fresh start to the new year. Really it's whenever you like.

I found this link www.whenis.co.uk/twelfth-night but take them down when you feel the need to I suppose.

Always New Year’s Day for me for exactly the reasons inishowen says.

MaiseD If you were a person who believed 'bad luck' will follow should you take decorations down before the 6th of January then you would be inclined to leave them up until then. I was led to believe this date for removal of festive decorations originated from a 'pagan' belief which Christianity had no part of.

There are two schools of thought 1. Epiphany, or 6th January/twelfth night, 2. Candlemas.
I have to say waiting until then would fill me with dread....

Decos traditionally come down on Epiphany 12 days after Christmas Day the 6th January
But don’t most of us take them down the minute the thought comes into our mind...
mine are coming down this afternoon... bored with a cluttered look!!

Blinko As the bishop said to the actress.

Up Xmas Eve, down Boxing Day - No need to wear them out.

They come down BY 12th night, 6th January which means they can come down at anytime before that. Of course we all put them up when we like and take them down when we like. I love them, but I’m a bit fed up with them now. I think mine will come down when DGD goes home on Sunday.

We've always taken them down by Twelfth Night (Epiphany), Jan 6th. To leave them longer is supposed to be bad luck! Having taken so long to put up my (too) many decorations, I like to look at them for as long as possible. I always think the house looks dull afterwards especially as January is such a dreary month weatherwise.

I took mine down this morning. Now they are all packed away for the next time.

We took our cards down this morning and the house already looks fresher and less cluttered. We've been away for a few days and still have some things to put away but it is much better.

Twelfth night=====6th of January----then the cleaning begins. Place will look bare !