When to Take Down Christmas Decorations 2019
There is much debate about when Christmas trees and decorations should be put up and then taken down again.
Festive decorations and twinkling lights add cheer to our dull grey Irish winter but like all good things, Christmas must come to an end.
With 2020 and the return to school and work looming, the sagging branches are looking a bit sad and rooms are feeling just a bit too crammed.
There's probably more pine needles on the floor than on the lower boughs, and that traditional Christmas tree smell has all but faded.
You may have already taken them down, but the tradition, since the Victorian era, is to remove decorations on Twelfth Night or by January 6 at the latest.
Every year this very tradition causes confusion, as people are left scratching their heads wondering when the date falls and why.
When is Twelfth Night?
Depending on what you're celebrating it's either January 5 or January 6 - and the last day you should keep festive decorations up.
A day sooner or later is considered unlucky and if decorations are not removed on Twelfth Night then according to tradition they should stay up all year.
Until the 19th century though, people would keep their decorations up until Candlemas Day on February 2.
Twelfth Night falls on January 5 and Epiphany on January 6.
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It called this because traditionally Christmas was a 12-day celebration, beginning on December 25.
This can create some confusion as some will class January 6 as Twelfth Night because it is the 12th day after Christmas.
Epiphany marks the end of Christmas when the Three Kings came to visit bearing gifts, guided by the star which is now represented in the twinkling lights adorning our homes.
Why is it unlucky?
January 5 is observed as the last day of Christmas festivities - the eve of the Epiphany.
In the past it was believed that tree-spirits lived in the greenery – such as holly and ivy – that people used to decorate their homes.
While the festive season provided shelter for these spirits during the winter, they needed to be released outside once Christmas was over.
If this custom wasn't followed, greenery would not return and vegetation would not grow as a result, causing agricultural and then food problems.
Even though Christmas decorations are now less about foliage and more about baubles, glitter, tinsel and singing Santas, many people still adhere to the superstition.
Do all countries follow this tradition?
As there is disagreement as to whether January 5 or January 6 is actually Twelfth Night lots of countries end up taking down their festooned trees at different times.
This can also depend on when people actually celebrate the festive season - for example in Russia, Christmas Day falls on January 7.
But January 6 is officially the day of the Epiphany.
This is from the Christian tradition where the faithful mark the birth of Jesus on December 25.
The Maji didn't arrive until much later with their gifts (some believe a year on) so Christians mark this on January 6.
Children were traditionally told that if you took down your decorations before the Eve of the Epiphany, the wise men might not be able to find their way - because Christmas lights represent the Star of Bethlehem which guided them to Jesus.
A number of countries in Europe follow the January 6 tradition, including the Germans, Poles and Czechs.
However for some people, simply having the decorations up into the New Year is too much and many will be taking them down on the 1st of January.
What can I do with my Christmas tree?
Real Christmas trees will be accepted at most household tips, but local authorities, garden centres and community groups may accept them for recycling.
More details on where you can recycle a Christmas tree across Ireland can be found here.
How should I store my Christmas decorations?
If your decorations aren't going into a loft or attic, make sure they're stored in a watertight, plastic box - in fact, doing this wherever they are kept will protect them from damp and pests.
It's also worth wrapping fragile Christmas ornaments in tissue paper before storage - and, of course, coiling the lights in a neat circle round your arm.
Obviously the loft fairies will have tangled them into a mess by next December, but at least you can say you tried when you open them in a frazzled temper next time.
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What about old Christmas cards and wrapping paper?
Consumers are urged to recycle this material rather than bin it.
Shiny and metallic varieties of wrapping paper are not recyclable, so people are advised to use the 'scrunch test' to check.
If you scrunch the paper in your hand and it stays in a ball then it can be recycled, but it can't if the paper springs back.
When to Take Down Christmas Decorations 2019
Source: https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/when-should-christmastree-come-down-13783242