I know that some people find it easier to put the tinsel away before the end of the holidays so the house is tidied up ready for the new year to begin in earnest. Maybe I'm a traditionalist at heart, but I'm a big believer in keeping my tree up for the full 12 days of Christmas. Here are five reasons why:
- The build up to Christmas is huge. As soon as Hallowe'en is over, the shops are full of cards and merchandise. The lights are often switched on in town centres from mid-November and advent starts 4 weeks before the big day - so why end the festivities prematurely? If you're going to celebrate in style, you may as well see it through until the end.
- And talking of endings, Christmas doesn't end until the Feast of the Epiphany, when the three kings arrived at the stable (it was a long journey and they were on camels). The tradition is that if you took your decorations down before then, the wise men would not be able to find their way as the Christmas lights represent the star of David.
- January is depressing enough - so I like to keep reminders of the festive joy up until the last moment. What better way to remind yourself of your loved ones than seeing all their cards still up around the house through the first week of January.
- Although the longest night was just before Christmas, January is still cold and dark. I love the way the Christmas lights and tinsel add a bit of sparkle and light to life.
- It's a way of delaying the New Year's resolutions. Most resolutions are broken in the first week of January. But by easing yourself into the new year and keeping Christmas going for its full duration, you have an excuse to start your resolutions again on 7th January, when Christmas is put away.
When do you take your Christmas decorations down?
I always keep my decorations up for a couple of weeks after Christmas too, it only comes once a year so might as well make the most of it!
ReplyDeleteExactly. I find it so disappointing when there's so much hype and then it's cut short because everyone is so eager to get onto the next thing.
DeleteSome people in Appalachia and the Amish (and some Russian/Ukrainian friends I know) still observe "Old Christmas" which is January 6th. It has to do with the change of the Julian Calendar to the Georgian Calendar in the 1500's. So yes, I agree, keep it up into January! I refuse to put the tree up in November, am in no rush to put it up in December, and in no rush to take it down after Christmas on the 25th. The last week of the year and the first week of the year are traditionally weeks of rest and visiting.
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely fascinating. I never knew that. Thanks for the info. I completely agree - resting and visiting should be the priority.
DeleteSorry, I meant Gregorian, not Georgian calendar.
DeleteIn Ireland it is referred to as "Little Christmas" and also one we might like to start observing, Woman's Christmas where traditionally the men take over the household chores and women get to celebrate and be waited on.