According To Tradition - Christmas Decorations

New Years Day here. I am not remotely religious and the solstice is more relevant to me. So I consider our decorations to be midwinter ones rather than Christmas. Some of the fairy lights will stay up for a few more weeks, until the darkness has passed.

As soon as it’s over
Mine came down on December 28th ohh er bad luck eh 🤣🤣

I have until January 13th as here in Sweden it is the 20th day/Tjugondedagens Knut where you traditionally "dance out" Christmas and plunder the Christmas tree of anything edible - before taking down the decorations.

Well, mine will be coming down on Saturday the 6th, as I am far too busy until then!

I do not think it matters a toss when you take the Christmas decorations down. It used to be that you put them up on Christmas eve, that went with the fairies decades ago.

I am taking mine down at the rate of one room a day. Christmas was preceded by nearly 2 months when little cleaning was down because I was quite ill with with a respiratory bug. So yesterday I 'de-Christmassed' the kitchen and gave the room a thorough clean. Today it was the family room, tomorrow the hall and so forth.

By next week, i will be relaxed and calm sitting in a clean organised home.

I take mine down on 5th January, following my Mum’s tradition, to avoid bad luck. Of course when I was working I took them down on the weekend before the 5th. I’m sure it’s just a silly superstition but I’d rather not tempt fate! Leaving them up until Candlemas didn’t seem to cause the late Queen bad luck, unless you take into account the heartache caused by the marital and other problems of her children and Prince Harry.

Yes, I’ve heard that said, too keepcalmandcavachon.
I wonder if King Charles will continue that tradition?

I believe our late Queen kept her decorations up until Candlemass.
I find it takes me a day or two to adjust to the bareness post decor.

I’ve just looked up the 40 days after Christmas and it’s February 2nd, Candlemas. Decorations can stay up until then if you wish, as that’s the official end of the Christmas season.
It’s when Mary went to the temple to be purified, 40 days after giving birth, which was traditional at that time.

As per the other posts, to avoid bad luck; Christmas tree and decorations must be down by 12th night (5th January).
I'm feeling a bit pleased with myself as I took my door wreaths x2, 2 trees and decorations down today, packed them carefully in boxes and put them back in the loft.
As per another thread about fairy lights, I've put 1 little battery set of ice white lights into a nice vase and kept them in the living room - hope that doesn't bring bad luck? 🙈🤔

The 6th January is Epiphany, when, I think, the 3 wise men were supposed to reach baby Jesus. This is why some prefer to keep their decorations up until that night.

If you have a crib, that can actually stay up until February, ie 40 days after Christmas Eve I seem to remember reading.

I’ve taken some decorations down, but others are remaining up until 12th night (6 Jan for me). The crib will go away then, too.

I have also just read this, but not heard of this one before ......

Others believe that Christmas trees must be taken down before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, or else you’ll be stuck carrying your baggage from last year into the new one.

Septimia

They're supposed to come down on Twelfth Night which is Jan 5th, but some people take them down on the 6th because that is the 12th night after Christmas. Confusing, eh? I think either day is acceptable in the circumstances.

Thank you ... I have read that too and it is certainly confusing!

They're supposed to come down on Twelfth Night which is Jan 5th, but some people take them down on the 6th because that is the 12th night after Christmas. Confusing, eh? I think either day is acceptable in the circumstances.