That's right, it's Jan 9th and I still light the Christmas tree every day. I have lights on the fireplace mantel and around the windows also that I still turn on. And I listen to Christmas music for a while every night. In my house the holidays are not over until mid-Jan. It's nice to have everything be "over" and then be able to relax and actually enjoy the holiday spirit for a while without worrying about shopping, too many dinners and events, etc.. Does that make any sense? I do this every year.
| by Anonymous | reply 82 | January 8, 2021 3:37 AM |
Mine are still up too OP.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | January 10, 2018 4:51 AM |
As I was driving today, I noticed a few houses with their trees still up. And of course, many outdoor decorations still up.
You're not alone. Not yet, anyway.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | January 10, 2018 4:52 AM |
You were good until "Little Christmas" on January 6...otherwise known as the "Epiphany," when the Three Wise Men arrived at manger to see the Baby Jesus.
On January 7, all decorations needed to come down.
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 3 | January 10, 2018 4:54 AM |
Well, 2 years ago I left things up until Feb 1st, R3! That felt like a little too long but it was cold and rainy and having everything still up felt cozy. I guess I'm a sentimental fool.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | January 10, 2018 4:58 AM |
Someone I knew with had terminal cancer had their decorations up until they passed away in May. There’s nothing wrong with making yourself happy, Op.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | January 10, 2018 4:58 AM |
I remember visiting my elderly grandmother once in the late summer, and she still had her artificial Christmas tree up. She was in her 90's and really didn't care what anybody thought and just loved Christmas. I kinda liked it. She passed away at 98.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | January 10, 2018 5:01 AM |
Trees are pagan referring to bringing in the lights to brighten the new year so keep them up as long as you like.
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | January 10, 2018 5:05 AM |
Mid January is about right.
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | January 10, 2018 5:12 AM |
The problem is that decorations left up after January 7 make Jesus cry. Why do you want to make Jesus sad?
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | January 10, 2018 5:15 AM |
I took an alternate route home tonight and saw plenty of houses still flashing their Christmas lights--kind of suprising.
| by Anonymous | reply 10 | January 10, 2018 5:17 AM |
It is bad luck to leave your Christmas tree and decorations up past Epiphany. Everyone knows this.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | January 10, 2018 5:21 AM |
If you're concerned about bad luck, r11, I have a special hat that can help you, r11.
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 12 | January 10, 2018 5:24 AM |
Mine are also still up. Usually I take them down after Epiphany but this year I'm so busy I haven't had time. My schedule is so packed (cleaning, renovating mom's home to sell) that they may be up another couple of weeks. This is the first year I've had an artificial tree and I love it so I'm still enjoying it at night. I'm glad to know I'm not alone.
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | January 10, 2018 5:25 AM |
My neighbor left his tree and lights up through January 6. Now it looks dark and dreary.
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | January 10, 2018 5:27 AM |
What is Epiphany, some kind of Catholic thing?
| by Anonymous | reply 15 | January 10, 2018 5:34 AM |
Keep them up as long as you want. I love Christmas. Why not keep the spirit around? Before you know it, Christmas will be here again anyway.
Plus, I am sure there is some singer who has to get in the spirit in a recording studio to record their Christmas album.
| by Anonymous | reply 16 | January 10, 2018 5:34 AM |
It's nice to have a bright colorful tree and lights during these long nights and gray days. Plus it's a lot of work to put it up, so might as well enjoy it until you aren't.
| by Anonymous | reply 17 | January 10, 2018 5:38 AM |
I listen to Laserlight's "Baroque Christmas Music" [Laser Light Digital 15 276] several times a week, year round. I'm with ya.
| by Anonymous | reply 19 | January 10, 2018 5:44 AM |
I never tire of listening to "The Nutcracker." This year I saw a local production by the Moscow Ballet and I couldn't believe they danced to a tape. Crappy crapola.
| by Anonymous | reply 20 | January 10, 2018 5:50 AM |
I took mine down Sunday. I miss sitting at night with the house lights off and just the Christmas lights on, our tree this year was beautiful too.
| by Anonymous | reply 21 | January 10, 2018 5:55 AM |
OP - Yes. What could be wrong with enjoying the beauty of the Christmas season, after the madness has passed? R 6 - You melt my heart with the story of your dear Grandmother, may she Rest In Peace.
| by Anonymous | reply 23 | January 10, 2018 8:49 AM |
I think its classy if interior decorations are GONE BEFORE the 30th. Nobody wants to see them at a NYEve Party and nobody wants to start a new year with last years shit around.
No harm in some outdoor lights into January. The point is to add light into dark days and nights. If you are trashy and poor, they look good in the summer too, very festive considering that your living situation is probably a bit grim.
| by Anonymous | reply 24 | January 10, 2018 11:09 AM |
I'm assuming OP is a Lesbian
| by Anonymous | reply 25 | January 10, 2018 11:13 AM |
Mine are up too. I’m tired.
| by Anonymous | reply 26 | January 10, 2018 11:14 AM |
[quote]It's Jan 9th and my Christmas decorations are still up
It's Jan 9th and my Christmas decorations are still up...From 1972
| by Anonymous | reply 27 | January 10, 2018 11:15 AM |
I own a Christmas Tree Shoppe!
| by Anonymous | reply 28 | January 10, 2018 11:26 AM |
I keep a 9 inch tall stained glass full body accent lamp of Santa Claus out and turned on all year long. It belonged to my late mother and made her very happy. Now he lights up a corner of my living room and always makes me smile. My mother was a huge collector of Santa items. I even have four different Santa hats she knitted for me. Start wearing them on Thanksgiving and continue till New Years.
| by Anonymous | reply 29 | January 10, 2018 11:37 AM |
I leave mine up all year to aid in tree worship ceremonies.
| by Anonymous | reply 30 | January 10, 2018 11:44 AM |
[quote]I took an alternate route home tonight and saw plenty of houses still flashing their Christmas lights--kind of suprising.
Deplorables, ecstatic that Christmas is no longer under attack after having to hide underground for eight long years.
| by Anonymous | reply 31 | January 10, 2018 11:45 AM |
I don’t give a shit what others think a set date is, for their own definition of appropriateness.
Don’t tell me to not be happy about family holidays and gatherings before November 11th either. I hate people that live by internet bumper stickers and memes.
| by Anonymous | reply 32 | January 10, 2018 11:53 AM |
Those of you who leave the tree up past Epiphany, are you lucky? Or does your life suck? Think about it.
| by Anonymous | reply 33 | January 10, 2018 11:57 AM |
If you're Catholic Christmas doesn't end on Epiphany. It ends on Christ's baptism. That's when my family's tree always came down.
"Ordinary Time doesn’t officially begin until the Monday after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which (usually) falls on the Sunday after Epiphany (January 6th). This means that the Christmas season actually extends beyond the popular “Twelve Days of Christmas.”"
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 34 | January 10, 2018 12:07 PM |
[quote]It is bad luck to leave your Christmas tree and decorations up past Epiphany. Everyone knows this.
I did not know this until this year! My husband insisted we take them down on the 5th.
| by Anonymous | reply 35 | January 10, 2018 12:21 PM |
Christmas decorations go up AFTER Thanksgiving. To do before would distract from the meaning of Thanksgiving.
They come down AFTER New Year's Day.
That's IT.
End of discussion
| by Anonymous | reply 36 | January 10, 2018 3:36 PM |
"Deplorables, ecstatic that Christmas is no longer under attack after having to hide underground for eight long years."
Not a lot of deplorables in Berkeley--especially the neighborhood I was in.
| by Anonymous | reply 37 | January 10, 2018 3:41 PM |
Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October R36 🇨🇦 . That’s a little too early for me. But anytime after NYD sounds fine. Late January perhaps.
| by Anonymous | reply 38 | January 10, 2018 3:42 PM |
No, R25, I'm a gay male. I'm glad there are a few others who appreciate my concept of extending Christmas for a little while beyond what "most" people do. My building just took down the huge tree in the lobby today so I don't too behind schedule haha.
| by Anonymous | reply 39 | January 11, 2018 4:39 AM |
Update: They're still up :)
| by Anonymous | reply 40 | January 12, 2018 10:59 PM |
It's now January 12th and mine are still up. Hopefully before the weeekend is over they'll be down.
| by Anonymous | reply 41 | January 12, 2018 11:03 PM |
Mine are still up because I'm waiting til my stepson goes back to school on MLK day. He'll be out of my hair then, and out of the living room, dining room and kitchen, where he spent his entire winter break.
| by Anonymous | reply 42 | January 12, 2018 11:04 PM |
[quote] It ends on Christ's baptism.
Wasn't he baptised when he was like 30 years old? Shouldn't we keep it up for 30 more years?
| by Anonymous | reply 43 | January 12, 2018 11:08 PM |
r43 I learned a long time ago to never try and make sense when it comes to Catholics.
| by Anonymous | reply 44 | January 12, 2018 11:11 PM |
As long as you're happy I guess.
Christmas is shit. I'm glad it's over.
| by Anonymous | reply 45 | January 12, 2018 11:14 PM |
R37 you think you are a smartass but in Denmark and other great Christian nations the scum Muslims try to stop Christmas.
| by Anonymous | reply 46 | January 12, 2018 11:19 PM |
OP, you take those decorations down pronto or I'll put you across my knee & make you blush around your ass-hole!
| by Anonymous | reply 47 | January 12, 2018 11:21 PM |
I'm Catholic but the tree comes down January 2nd for me, Epiphany or not. Christmas decorations left up longer than that depress me like a sink full of dishes. They make me think of the mother of a childhood friend of mine, who suffered from depression. Their house was always sort of grubby and the tree would be up as late as February or later, bone dry and getting brown.
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 48 | January 13, 2018 12:07 AM |
My mom was a teacher so our tree always came down New Years Day before she had to go back to work. It's ingrained in me and I feel anxious if the decorations are still out past New Years.
| by Anonymous | reply 49 | January 13, 2018 12:33 AM |
Wow. That is a really sad room at R48.
| by Anonymous | reply 50 | January 13, 2018 12:39 AM |
I expect Dennis Hopper to be in the R48 room, wearing an oxygen mask and saying, "Mommy!"
| by Anonymous | reply 51 | January 13, 2018 12:43 AM |
It's 1/12 and mine are still up, too. At this point I really want to take them down but in the middle of a house reno (not mine) and NO TIME. ARRGGHHH
| by Anonymous | reply 52 | January 13, 2018 12:59 AM |
If you like your Christmas lights, leave them up as long as you want.
| by Anonymous | reply 53 | January 13, 2018 1:02 AM |
Inside, leave them up as long as you like. It’s way past time to take down outside lights and decorations.
| by Anonymous | reply 54 | January 13, 2018 1:53 AM |
Most of the Mexicans in LA leave them up year round. Feliz Navidad
| by Anonymous | reply 55 | January 13, 2018 2:22 AM |
Some woman on fb Saran wrapped her artificial tree lights/decor & all, and is storing it that way until next year. I’m doing that next year. Such a pain in the ass to put it all away.
| by Anonymous | reply 56 | January 13, 2018 2:28 AM |
r56 that is so white trash fabulous I can't stand it!
| by Anonymous | reply 57 | January 13, 2018 2:29 AM |
I never put them up this year. I was out of fucks to give.
| by Anonymous | reply 58 | January 13, 2018 2:31 AM |
Since I worked in retail for years, I always made sure my tree was put up before my late hours started. So every year my tree was decorated the weekend before Thanksgiving. Everybody loves my tree so were disappointed one year when I decided to wait. No! They said. It is now still put up as before. I leave it up until March! I live in cold weather area so we love to sit up and listen to Opera, Classical Music while having a Cocktail or Hot Chocolate. My friends love to come over even in February and sit by the tree. We have a glass of wine and cookies. Cozy.
| by Anonymous | reply 59 | January 13, 2018 3:07 AM |
I’m going to see if I can find a pic r57 it was so “I don’t give a fuck but it works”
| by Anonymous | reply 60 | January 13, 2018 3:07 AM |
r60 please post the pic if you can find it. Hilarious!
| by Anonymous | reply 61 | January 13, 2018 3:11 AM |
Can't blame OP for wanting to see something other than snow on bare tree branches, even if the holiday season is long past and birds will be nesting soon...
| by Anonymous | reply 62 | January 13, 2018 3:15 AM |
I took down my tree and put away my decorations very early this year: Dec 28th! However I just took down my Christmas lights yesterday.
| by Anonymous | reply 63 | January 13, 2018 3:36 AM |
Christians who follow the Julian calendar celebrate Christmas on January 7.
Technically, the Christmas season ends on Candlemas Day, Feb.2, which is 40 days after Gregorian Christmas. Eastern Orthodox Christian would mark the end of the Christmas season on Feb. 17
| by Anonymous | reply 64 | January 13, 2018 3:51 AM |
We need to take back the pagan roots of the season. For example Saturnalia the Roman custom lasted a week. And Yule celebrations went on for weeks. We in the north understand the darkness that is November/December.
In fact I'd be all for setting up a holiday schedule where the entirety of the United States shuts down the entire week between Christmas and the New Year. And maybe even a week or so more. We need to agitate for policies like they have in Germany or France or even Italy. Around 6 weeks of paid time off. Not bad.
| by Anonymous | reply 65 | January 13, 2018 3:57 AM |
OP here. I will take them down tomorrow when I clean the house. Then they go back up in mid Nov at the latest. Less than 10 months away!
| by Anonymous | reply 66 | January 20, 2018 10:01 PM |
I didn't take mine down till the 8th so I get it.
| by Anonymous | reply 67 | January 20, 2018 10:19 PM |
Taking mine down today, 1/20. I just haven't had time. First year with an artificial tree and I enjoyed every minute of it. It's a beautiful sunny day and I'm feeling good about getting the house cleaned up.
| by Anonymous | reply 68 | January 20, 2018 10:24 PM |
[quote] Does that make any sense?
Yes, we have a great many people like you in our.. institution.
| by Anonymous | reply 69 | January 20, 2018 10:37 PM |
I'm probably taking my tree down this weekend. I often leave my tree up as long as possible.
| by Anonymous | reply 70 | January 20, 2018 10:53 PM |
Waiting til Monday when my husband is back at work & stepson is back at school. House to myself. I hav a big tree with lots of ornaments and lights. And light covers.
| by Anonymous | reply 71 | January 20, 2018 10:56 PM |
I take it down the weekend after Epiphany. This year I had to force myself. Sorta didn't want Christmas to end.
| by Anonymous | reply 72 | January 20, 2018 11:11 PM |
I finally took the decorations down yesterday, because someone was coming over. Except I still have the small tree with the white lights up. No decorations, just the tree with lights. I'm calling it a "winter tree".
| by Anonymous | reply 73 | January 27, 2018 5:21 AM |
Time to put the hearts and cupids ornaments up.
| by Anonymous | reply 74 | January 27, 2018 5:35 AM |
Groundhog day is coming up. Perhaps decorate the winter tree with little groundhog ornaments?
| by Anonymous | reply 75 | January 27, 2018 10:18 PM |
Well here we are a year later, exactly to the day. And once again, my Christmas decorations are still up again this year! I was going to put them all away last weekend but decided WTF it's supposed to rain this weekend and it would be cozy to have the lights on and watch old holiday movies while it rains.
| by Anonymous | reply 76 | January 10, 2019 3:53 AM |
I envy you, OP. My bastard of a partner sent me out to run errands Sunday and put away the tree while I was gone (and without my consent!) We hadn’t even finished the eggnog yet.
| by Anonymous | reply 77 | January 10, 2019 4:26 AM |
Another year gone. The tree went up later than usual this year (only a week before Christmas). Last weekend I took down everything except the tree. I'm leaving it up until at least 1/19 this year. It has white lights and I left only the basic decorations that came on the tree (pinecones, berries) so it's now my "winter tree". Last year it ended up staying up until the first day of spring.
| by Anonymous | reply 78 | January 13, 2020 9:48 PM |
OP here again. This is the 4th year of my post. Another year gone....what a year.
I ended putting the tree back up in March 2020 when the pandemic shut-downs started. I was stuck at home and needed something to make me happy. It's still up. I finally had to replace some of the lights in Dec.
I'm thinking of having a Christmas do-over after Trump is out of office. Between all that drama and the pandemic, I feel like Christmas didn't even happen in 2020. I tried but never felt the Christmas spirit. So in late Jan I will have a weekend where I play Christmas music, watch old holiday movies, enjoy my tree and other lights, and try to capture the Christmas spirit that I missed. I need a few moments of happiness and peace. Oh I almost forgot....a family member has some Christmas presents for me still and we just haven't seen each other in months. So I will unwrap those and eat some Christmas cookies I stashed in the freezer.
My life seems so pathetic. I hope the world gets better soon.
| by Anonymous | reply 79 | January 8, 2021 1:21 AM |
OP, you're lucky (or maybe smart) that you can create an environment that makes you feel joyful even under the current circumstances. It's people like me whose lives seem pathetic right now and we're powerless to improve that condition. As much as I hate Xmas, I sincerely wish that I could find happiness today by decorating a certain way and listening to certain music and watching certain things on TV and eating certain foods and unwrapping gifts that I forgot about. I'm stuck wishing (vainly, I'm sure) for the 25th Amendment or impeachment and conviction, and trying to remember how I felt when I woke up yesterday morning to the good news from Georgia. I, too, hope the world gets better soon -- at least you can improve your own corner for yourself right this minute, which is a blessing that not everyone enjoys.
| by Anonymous | reply 80 | January 8, 2021 1:54 AM |
[quote] “Christmas decorations go up AFTER Thanksgiving. To do before would distract from the meaning of Thanksgiving. They come down AFTER New Year's Day. That's IT. End of discussion.”
Well, it’s DETRACT, not “distract,” Miss Thang.
| by Anonymous | reply 81 | January 8, 2021 3:31 AM |
you're doin fine, OP. We never take ours down til it's light out during the return home after work, usually between 5:30 and six. Or, about mid-February. Cheezy I know, but it's light! in the darkness!
| by Anonymous | reply 82 | January 8, 2021 3:37 AM |
