Christmas

[Ms Thrifty]

OH does ours and puts it up quite late. I have requested that it be earlier.. What I always find really weird is how long decorations traditionally stay up - right until Epiphany.

To me it would make much more sense to take them down by New Year's Eve or at least 1 January - after all, Xmas seems ages away by then and was even technically in the previous year. OH wouldn't have it, however - but couldn't give me even one good reason so I wonder if he's secretly suspicious and thinks it'd be bad luck to take the decorations down sooner?

Of course, he did say that if I wanted to take over doing it all, I could choose when to remove everything!

[andrews]

Anyone else think 1st December is acceptable to put the tree up? We have a cute little electric light tree from Habitat. No pine needles!

Yes the 1st December seems fitting - pity other people don't think like us though. I passed a house on 31st October - (yes you read that correctly, and I haven't made a typo) - Christmas tree, Christmas lights, the lot!

Because I am unable to get out and about, I have taken the opportunity to wrap all the Christmas presents I've already b*ght. I'm not going anywhere today, as there has been yet more snow, so I'm making a start on the Christmas cards. I haven't been this organised in years!

[Rainey]

This might be useful to anyone with children, I just made free personalised video messages from santa for the kids, they are great it includes santa actually saying their name, you can specify if they have been good at something or bad for that matter and santa tells them to try and improve... I selected that my son needs to try harder to keep his room tidy!! You can include photo's of special events through the year which appear in Santa's book about them, and include what they have asked for etc, you can then send it on FB or by email. You can also do adult ones. Its brilliant!!

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

Hope its useful to someone.

[jmd1983]

We celebrate St Nicholas on 5th December first. Any time after that is acceptable to put your tree up. I usually don't put it up until a few days before Christmas depending on when I am off work.

[destresserai]

The 12 Rules of Christmas as per Debretts (they know all there is to know about ettiqueete!).......

1. The Office Party: Eat, drink and be merry, but know when to draw the line. Retain your professional gloss, be cautious of overindulging and don't do anything you'll regret in the morning…

2. Christmas Cards: While it's ok to send a Christmas email to colleagues and computer-savvy friends, don't forget that some friends and family will still appreciate receiving a traditional card set by post.

3. Round-Robins: Enclose a short personal letter in cards to friends or relatives who are rarely seen, but avoid inflicting a boastful litany of the family's achievements on your entire Christmas card list.

4. Re-gifting: The recycling of unwanted presents should be approached with caution. Is the item unused and in perfect condition? Is there any possible link to the original giver? If in doubt, b*y something new.

5. Christmas Tipping: If you've been happy with a service throughout the year, then give a bonus or spare a fiver for the cleaner, babysitter, milkman, dustman, paperboy etc.

6. Mind the Mistletoe: Never refuse a festive peck, but remember that mistletoe kissing is strictly a cheek-to-cheek activity. Equally, if you're struck down by the lurgi, then stand back rather than risk spreading your germs.

7. The Perfect Houseguest: Be punctual and arrive laden with goodies. Offer to help, but know when to get out of the kitchen.

8. The Perfect Host: Be welcoming, organised, thoughtful and flexible. You're opening up your home, so never let your guests feel like they are in the way.

9. Don't be a Scrooge: Embrace the festive spirit. Never let your lack of enthusiasm spoil everyone else's fun, especially if there are children around.

10. Perfect Presents: Always react with surprise and delight, no matter what you've been given. Remember that someone has taken the time to choose and wrap a gift for you, so you can take the time to be gracious and thankful.

11. Festive Fun: Go with the flow. Whether it's charades or Cluedo, a wintery walk or the afternoon film, it's good manners to muck in. Remember, it's only a day or two…

12. Thank Yous: Letters of thanks for hospitality and presents should be sent promptly and preferably received by the second week of January.

[destresserai]

When should you put up your Christmas Tree?

This is very dependent on your beliefs and country of origin and the common practices for the UK are shown below.

The tradition of putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it (a German custom) was introduced into Britain by George III's wife Queen Charlotte. The custom became firmly established during the reign of Queen Victoria. At that time trees were natural and some believed it was unlucky to bring them into the house before Christmas Eve. Therefore, trees were brought into the home and decorated on Christmas Eve ready for Christmas Day.

During the 20th Century, due to the demands on family life, it became impractical to leave decorating the home until Christmas Eve and most churches made the suggestion that one week before was acceptable. This invariably became 12 days in line with the 12 days of Christmas (i.e. unlucky to have decorations up after 5th January).

The idea of 12 days before and 12 days after became the norm but over the past few years decorating the home in the UK has become much earlier as we take on many influences from the USA (bloody americans!) who traditionally put up decorations just after Thanksgiving.

Hope this helps people decide when is best for them! I personally will stick with my 12 days before and 12 days after....

[valda]

Trouble with going up to early is that things get tatty, the cats pull the tree down or the children pull the tree down Or, the tree itself starts shedding the pine needles, I'm so glad I don't bother with any of it

[ejwrank]

Taking your tree down on Jan 6 (Epiphany) is the tradition (at least it always was in the US where I grew up). Then everyone in the community would take their trees in and there would be a big bonfire and outdoor party. It was a nice way to finish the holiday. I believe the Geffrye Museum still does this tradition and burns their trees and pine decorations outside and serves with mulled wine, etc. And I put my tree up late (week before Xmas) as otherwise it is so dry in spite of watering it and b*ying one of those no-drop types. I guess if you put your tree up on 1 Dec you must be pretty bored with it by the New Year so you take it down then.

Each to his/her own!

[Ms Thrifty]

The big tree at work seems to have been up for weeks already, but the landlord of the building provides it so the actual users have no say. Still, it's nice to see and at least we get one that way. Local choirs are invited to come and sing round it nearer Xmas.

[valda]

The big tree at work seems to have been up for weeks already, but the landlord of the building provides it so the actual users have no say. Still, it's nice to see and at least we get one that way. Local choirs are invited to come and sing round it nearer Xmas.

NOthing at ours yet, they better hurry up as its the XFactor press conferences this week, and they usually drag the tree downstairs for it