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Original poster

When do you take the lot down?

148 replies

danidandan · 27/12/2021 16:07

Just that really!

We had a lovely Christmas at my parents this year. Come home, got a big pile of DDs old toys and clothes to take to the woman's refugee shelter, new clothes washed and hung up, new toys in her toy basket.

Tree down, lights down, all the decks are down. I don't know about anyone else but as soon as Boxing Day is done I get an overwhelming urge to take down the decs. My mum keeps them up until New Year's Day but it stresses me out!

Just a little light hearted one really, when do you take your decs down?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 27/12/2021 20:18

I took mine down today, couldn’t wait to see the back of it.

ineedteanownotlater · 27/12/2021 20:35

Taking ours down tomorrow. I have ordered a new staircase bag for one of the trees as I don't think the box will hold up being taped together again this year which is being delivered tomorrow so will take them down then.
I have taken down on Boxing Day before. All depends how much the clutter is doing my head in.

theneverendinglaundry · 27/12/2021 20:35

In the past I have always taken it down around now. But we have a real tree this year and I have booked a charity to come and take it to be recycled on 6th Jan, plus we have a delayed family celebration due to covid, so it will probably come down on 3/4th Jan.

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ineedteanownotlater · 27/12/2021 20:36

@ineedteanownotlater

Taking ours down tomorrow. I have ordered a new staircase bag for one of the trees as I don't think the box will hold up being taped together again this year which is being delivered tomorrow so will take them down then. I have taken down on Boxing Day before. All depends how much the clutter is doing my head in.
Staircase bag?? I meant storage!
Jaime321 · 27/12/2021 21:48

Ours will stay until candlemas in February. Christmas has only just started and the lights take away some of the gloom of January.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 27/12/2021 22:06

Usually the 6th Jan, but probably the 5th this year, since the 6th is a little Gdc’s birthday.

I will never understand the urge to tear it all down so soon, let alone to go mad cleaning. God knows January is usually dreary enough anyway - the lights and decorations cheer it up a bit.

Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas · 27/12/2021 22:09

Well it's was working in the run up to Xmas and running around after dc, last min gifts and outtings so it's only now I can relax and really enjoy the food, snacks, decorations etc... And drink it all in. Literally.

It depends when to take them down, I don't set dates I do it on feelings and I have been known to keep them up till valentines day.
It's lovely to have them up when it snows sometimes in January or February.
I put them up about two weeks before Xmas so I I'm not fed up of them yet

lollipoprainbow · 27/12/2021 22:16

Twelve night I cannot understand the rush to get everything down and put away ffs !!

NoSauce · 27/12/2021 22:17

After NY usually.

Babdoc · 27/12/2021 22:22

I think the people rushing to take them down are probably the ones who put them up far too early and are now sick of them!
Traditionally, the tree was not decorated until Christmas Eve, and then remained up for the 12 days of Christmas, being taken down after Epiphany. In some countries, they don’t even open the presents until Epiphany, which is logical, to coincide with the Magi bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Nowadays, non Christians seem to have an “Advent tree” from Dec 1st, rather than a Christmas tree!

Kite22 · 27/12/2021 22:24

12th Night, or sometimes the Sunday before term starts if - like this year - it starts before 12th night.

I bloody love Christmas but I see post Christmas as a fresh new start and have a declutter for the new year.

I see the time between Christmas Day and New Year very much part of Christmas. It is the time to relax, and meet up with friends or relations, maybe sit and watch some TV, maybe try out the Christmas presents. It would be a bit odd to go round to various Christmas get togethers and find all the trees and decorations gone.

Like a pp I don't understand the thinking of rushing to be the first to take down the decorations, but then, I don't understand people putting them up in November either, and I'd guess there is a correlation.

lonsdaleshorts · 27/12/2021 22:26

@Babdoc

I think the people rushing to take them down are probably the ones who put them up far too early and are now sick of them! Traditionally, the tree was not decorated until Christmas Eve, and then remained up for the 12 days of Christmas, being taken down after Epiphany. In some countries, they don’t even open the presents until Epiphany, which is logical, to coincide with the Magi bringing their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Nowadays, non Christians seem to have an “Advent tree” from Dec 1st, rather than a Christmas tree!
No, not sick of them at all. My Christmas is over on 27/12 so they come down. I’m not interested in what is traditional. Im interested in giving my family memories. Not what someone else says our Christmas should be.
lollipoprainbow · 27/12/2021 22:27

I get really attached to my beautiful real tree, the thought of dumping it outside the minute Christmas Day is over makes me sad !!

Whatafool123 · 27/12/2021 22:30

12th night for us too. I grew up with the idea it was unlucky to leave them up longer than that, but I don't count lights on windows etc as decorations as I like to leave those up to cheer things up while the days are still so short. We don't put our tree up until mid-December at the earliest though, so we're not tired of it yet.

JaninaDuszejko · 27/12/2021 22:38

12th night. Not religious but of course the 12 days of celebration predates Christianity. Our tree has only been up a week and it's not till Boxing Day that I can relax and enjoy my Christmas holiday and the decorations.

If you wantgto take decorations down on Boxing Day how about delaying when you put them up next year, maybe you'll start to appreciate the holiday period

user290814356289 · 27/12/2021 22:40

I usually have mine down on Boxing Day. This year I've left them up but I need them down by tomorrow. I want my space back.

Abracadabra12345 · 27/12/2021 22:48

@dhdislsndh

I can't believe people have already taken their Christmas decorations down! I am sitting in my Christmas PJs still stuffing myself with Christmas food with the light off and Christmas tree on.

This year the tree went up the middle of November (admittedly early even for me) and doesn't come down until the 5th January!) I absolutely love Christmas!

My kindred spirit!
Honeyroar · 27/12/2021 22:49

I think it’s a bit sad to take them down immediately after Xmas day, it’s like you’ve only got the commercial, grabby, stressy part of Christmas- not the calm, relaxing bit. I detest the run up to Christmas. I like the time between Christmas and new year when it’s chilled. I can’t think of anything worse than rushing round with a hoover and having to pack things away right now. Just weird.

purpledagger · 27/12/2021 22:51

We took ours down today.

We love the tree and decorations in the run up, but it's nice to get the house back In order for the new year.

This is the earliest we have taken it down, normally it's closer to 30th.

Abracadabra12345 · 27/12/2021 22:51

To those who take it down early - do the rest of the family get a say?

BurningTheClocks · 27/12/2021 22:51

I put my tree up the first week of December and it comes down the first weekend of the New Year. Don’t have many decorations other than the tree, and I leave my window lights up until 2nd February.
I love the season.

Holothane · 27/12/2021 22:52

Our went up 15th of December if I’d hadn’t off done I wouldn’t have done only tree went up this year and advent calendar.

Ihaveaskedyouthrice · 27/12/2021 22:53

No set date but sometime before new year's eve. My 4 year old son came downstairs yesterday morning and said we need to take down the decorations, Christmas is over 😂 he definitely takes after me.

Bitofachinwag · 27/12/2021 22:54

It's strange to take them down when Christmas has only just begun!

InFiveMins · 27/12/2021 22:55

Mine are usually down on 27th.

We've been out today visiting relatives but will take the decorations down tomorrow. I like to have a clean house free of decorations ready for the New Year.