True Confessions; Am I the only one who

2 years ago

... still has a tree up?

Lemme explain. We didn't put our trees up until fairly late... i think it was like Dec. 20th? iirc, and then we left on vacation a few days after Christmas. So when we got back, I was loathe to take it down right away. Just took down the fresh tree yesterday. That one had all the ornaments. I still have a fake tree in the LR, heavily flocked, with little white lights. I figure that is good until spring? : )

Driving around, I still see some trees in windows.

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Kswl

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I still have two all lights trees on our screened porch. They’re pretty.

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Comments (55)

3katz4me
2 years ago
I usually get rid of mine around Jan 1 but this year it was gone by then - real tree and we were leaving town over the new year and I had time to take everything down before we left. I'm always anxious to get it out once Christmas is over. We do have it up for about a month.
LynnNM
2 years ago
We have two trees, both artificial as I'm, sadly, allergic to real ones. We took our main tree down 3 days ago. I love enjoying my Christmas trees and always am sad when taking them down.
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roxanna
2 years ago
Do I need to re-tell the tale of how I have kept my Xmas tree and many decor items up 1500 days (+/-) and still counting? .... ?? No plans to change that, either. I don't care what anyone thinks!

I did change out some items for a new "theme" this year -- I added lots of gnomes all over the place. They make me smile and feel joyful. And the conversations I have with them make up for the non-existent chats with DH (of 54 years), with whom verbal interaction is usually a non-starter. And the gnomes are cuter than he is, too. So there.

Very few will better my lengthy record of leaving Christmas up -- I'm aiming for the Guinness Book of World Records, but I have heard of other eccentric folk who do this, so I might have competition. =)
yeonassky
2 years ago
I don't even contemplate taking my tree down until Ukrainian Christmas and New year are here and gone. This weekend the tree was emptied but it stands forlorn in the corner until DH can cut it up. He likes to do it this way. :). But sometimes I have to wait until he has time. I miss the light show but haven't figured out how to extend it without it looking too Christmassy to me.
roarah
2 years ago
i just took the Christmas tree and decorations down on Saturday. The live tree was still in great shape, but i like to get it outit before it is dry. My window boxes will keep the evergreens in them until they turn brown.
Sueb20
2 years ago
Because our rooms are small, I’m always eager to put the tree away right after Jan. 1 so the furniture can go back where it belongs. I think your tree is now a ”Winter Tree” and can stay up til March. Or until the pandemic ends. Or until you sell the house.

I do still have a small wreath and dangling star ornaments in the kitchen window, and outdoor lights will stay up til at least Feb. 1 because they’re cheery on a cold winter night. They’re just white, so we could call them winter lights, not Christmas lights.
Tina Marie
2 years ago
We put our trees/decorations up no later than Thanksgiving weekend so they come down before New Years. Like Roarah I do still have live greenery, etc. in the large planter on the front porch. I noticed yesterday it's starting to look not-so-good, so I need to get rid of that, but it's so cold this week!!
gsciencechick
2 years ago
No, no, no! Tree went out to the curb for yard waste pickup the first trash day after Christmas. It was dry. Everything else was put away a couple of weeks ago.
Allison0704
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I say leave up as long as it makes you happy.

@roxanna I didn't know this! What is the current record?

I thought about leaving the two string light trees and snowflake on up in the screened porch, but since we have had more sunny and warm day than cold day, I took them down. I bought two more snowflakes to add next Christmas.

@Kswl are those PB or RH trees? I have 3 RH trees I bought for our last house and they say don't let them get wet. I would have used them if not for the high winds that blow the rain into the screened porch.
Jilly
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I wish the holidays were spread out more. I start decorating for Halloween in early Oct, then change to Fall in November, then Christmas right after Thanksgiving. By the first of January, I am so ready to get my house and yard back to normal.

If I put my tree up later, I’d definitely leave it up later to enjoy.
Boopadaboo
2 years ago
My kids still talk about the time the Easter bunny hid eggs in the christmas tree. We took our ornaments down this weekend and all we have left now is the stair garland and the 12'tree. DH will take them down this week.

I decided that I can't live without twinkly lights though and got these when they went on sale. I cant think of what else I would want to put in these spots yet (6 month in this house) so I am getting something to put the trees in and calling it a day until something else calls to me. I am torn right now between blue and white pots at william sonoma and plant baskets from Etsy.

my real plants did not get enough light and I am so happy that the doors are finally on. No idea why the PO left it all open. Seems like a good improvement to me :)

Before:
gsciencechick
2 years ago
We do like the ambience of the lights on the kitchen archway, so maybe we need to get some LED's that are white to use there.
eld6161
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
We took ours down the day after New Years, along with thevoutside wreaths.

I have a few neighbors who leave their Christmas light lit through January.

I think you can certainly leave the flocked tree as long like.

We usually put the tree up Thanksgiving weekend so I do feel we have enjoyed it long enough.
bpath
2 years ago
Boopadaboo, those twinkly trees are so cute agains the white brick! I think I have to look for those. I like twinkle lights, too.

I have two small glass cabinets in my kitchen that I outfit with fairy lights and little scandinavian figures (yarn, wood), until at least Valentine’s Day. (I like the auto-on-off feature of the fairy lights!)

The silver coffee service in the dining room has fairy lights and a light beaded garland entwined around it, so pretty against the silver. The battery pack is in the teapot!

And on the mantle, the Christmas artificial garland with little lights will stay into February, with the deer grazing among the greenery. I took down the carved wood Santas, though. But the greenery and lights help keep the cheer of Christmas and cozy feel through the darkest winter, even when the fire isn’t going.
dedtired
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
My tree came down after the first week of January. I felt bad about taking it down because it was still so fresh. I usually have heaps of needles on the floor after i take it down but this barely shed any. I usually wake up one day and think ” I’m done with Christmas” and everything comes down. Our township comes around with a chipper to remove trees by the curb, so that is incentive to get it out there.

This year I not only felt bad for evicting it before its time but also for having it murdered in the chipper. Shades of Fargo!. I always feel bad for the trees lying by the curb. To add insult to injury, the dogs love to pee on them.

I had boxes of decorations all over the living room because i planned on cleaning out the basement before putting them away. Got about one quarter of the way through that project and bagged it.

I keep the artificial wreath on the door until the end of January, I don’t know why.
Feathers11
2 years ago
(Omg, Boop, that blanket!)

I had a real tree and took it down early January in order to place it curbside for pickup. My outside lights are still up, and so are those of many of my neighbors. I can see trees in the occasional windows.

We're entering the third year of a pandemic. There are no more rules limiting Christmas decor.
Jilly
2 years ago
You’re all making me want to string lights on something.
mtnrdredux_gw
Original Author
2 years ago
KSWL, i love your trees but am also intrigued by your wicker chair with stripes? Where is it from?

Ded, in an effort to clear more space in my basement, I decided to clean out my Christmas decor and get rid of those ornaments that always get picked last and only end up on the back of the tree, and only then if we have a particularly large tree to cover. I only netted about 6 or 7 rejects though, alas. They are supposed to be pine cones but they look like hand grenades. I keep my ornaments in 2 plastic chests of drawers on wheels. Drive the kids crazy by having them "filed" by color and type.

I forgot about my double wreaths on the front door. The greenery is in good shape and it has just one black and white plaid taffeta ribbon, so I think it can hang on a bit. And my entry hall decor, which has a lot of pink, I usually leave up thru Valentine's Day.

Boop, LOL easter egg christmas tree hunt!
nini804
2 years ago
😂 I am no help…I literally drag that huge dead thing out of the house on the 26th, and put everything else away before the first…new year, fresh house, blah blah…😂

But you may find this funny…We had big excitement in our world last Monday (10th) when my beloved, long suffering, alma mater won the National Championship!! Huge deal to this cohort, much celebrating & joy that continues to provide us Dawg folk happiness. Anyway, Twitter is awash in all kinds of happy montages. There is one that features clips of fans watching the end of the game (and their reaction to an amazing pick 6) that were caught on their home security cameras. As you might expect…the range of decor and luxury of the interiors ran the gamut. One viewer on Twitter made the astute comment, ”what’s with all of the (expletive) Christmas trees still up?” 😂😂😂 Yes, there were many trees, some partially decorated, like they got caught in the middle and forgot, some bare except for lights, and some in all their yuletide glory. 😂 Soooo….you’re in good company!
Boopadaboo
2 years ago
Feathers - if you mean the help one that was a Halloween decoration! :)
dedtired
2 years ago
Mtn, there was a discussion of ornament boxes on my local Fb page. Whose is the oldest? The winner was an ancient Wanamaker’s box. I still have some original Shiny Brite boxes. They are in tatters but I enjoy them .
mtnrdredux_gw
Original Author
2 years ago
Wanamaker's, sigh. Meet me at the eagle! Remember the dining room on the ninth floor?

You made me nostalgic. A lot of us might mourn a favorite now-gone department store, but frankly Wanamaker's was an incredibly beautiful store. For giggles I looked it up on Wikipedia and saw this about the founder:

Due to a persistent cough, he was unable to join the U.S. Army to fight in the American Civil War, so instead started a career in business.

Am I the only one who finds this funny? "Gee guys, I'd love to soldier for you, but I have this darn tickle in the back of my throat. Criminy!"
Kswl
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Those chairs are from a company called Beyond Borders Imports, and they were two of the first things I bought for this house. They were not expensive, maybe $200 each? They’ve aged quite a bit since Sept. 2019 but they’re on a side of the screened porch that gets very wet every time it rains. They are very comfortable, which is a bonus, but TBH I would have bought them even if they weren’t.

Edited to add, if you like them they are on the website, now being sold directly to the public, AND FOR $134 each!

https://www.beyondbordersimports.com/categories/785382/chair-amp-benches/products/40057/striped-fargo-chair
seagrass_gw Cape Cod
2 years ago
I got really sick in the middle of December and we didn't get any Christmas decorating done except for a wreath for the front door and an amaryllis.
Allison0704
2 years ago
@kws1 I asked about the trees, not the chairs, if that was for me. Thanks for the website link anyway, since my sister still needs a few things.
mtnrdredux_gw
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Seagrass, that's a shame. Hope you are better!

KSWL - i wish I had a need for them, just love them

PS Allison, I asked about the chair
maddielee
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Ha! old boxes.

Our manger (made by my grandfather and handed down) is packed away with the Tampa Times front page ——-

“President Kennedy Killed!”.
dedtired
2 years ago
Uh, Maddie, i was a junior in high school when Kennedy was killed. It was yesterday,.

Mtn, the Crystal Tea Room! A cough? poor brave soul.
l pinkmountain
2 years ago
When we had a tree, (we haven't bothered for quite a few years and hubs lost our decorations), we would leave it up until some time around Valentine's day. We didn't do much else for winter decorating, it was just us at home (no puppy then) and we really enjoyed sitting in the living room and viewing the tree with music and soft lights in the evenings. Which is the reason that whole tradition of bringing in greens during the dormant, dark, cold winter months got started, as an antidote to the winter blues. Worked for us . . .
Kswl
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Allison I did not see your auestion earlier. My trees are Amazon knockoffs, very inexpensive but surprisingly durable. They are not very attractive during the day, as the ”trunk” and branches are just wrapped with either gold or silver tape. You can pick which color you want at checkout. I picked the gold abd dont remember why, but when the lights are on the tape reflects it. I’m sire the silver would be as or more reflective. I think the small one cost $39.95. It is 4 ft. i think and the taller one is 5 ft. Originally I was looking for the RH trees for inside but they haven't been sold for a couple of years and i did not find any on ebay. That search led me to Amazon.
tuesday_2008
2 years ago
KSWL, can you share a link to those trees…love sparkly lights in the winter.

I deliberately choose some of my holiday decor to be more seasonal vs specific holiday. My front door Christmas wreath and grapevine tree topper has lots a black and white ribbon, red plaid, with greenery, berries, birds, pine cones, little snowmen, etc and they stay up until afer the first of March. Then I do a spring/summer wreath, followed by one with fall decorations in September. I do an occasional floral arrangement (artificial of course - don’t judge me) with the same concept.
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
2 years ago
Our tree is still up. I left it up through Ukrainian/Orthodox Christmas, and when I told my husband that I planned to take it down after, he said to leave it because the lights look so pretty : ) . It's undecorated now and I'm just waiting for help to take it out of the house; we give our tree to our sheep and they enjoy nibbling on it.

Our wreaths are still up, and the Christmas lights too, and they all look lovely with the fresh dump of snow we just got.
Feathers11
2 years ago
Now I want some sheep.
Kswl
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Here it is, Tuesday; the link will take you to all the options for size and color:

LIGHTSHARE 6 ft. LED Tree - 750L Starlit Tree Collection with Warm White LED Angel Lights, Gold, Perfect for Home Décor Holiday Party Wedding

The tree comes in 6 ft, 5 ft. and 4 ft. This proves beyond question that I should not quote prices (or any other details) from memory because apparently I have the 6 ft and 5 ft trees that were around $155 and $70 respectively. Or the price could have increased although probably not that much. Still loads less than the RH trees that are no longer available, although these are obviously not comparable in quality.
jill302
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
We still have our tree and indoor decor up. We went to desert for a week right after Christmas, came home and promptly got Covid. DH was feeling better took down the outdoor Christmas decor at our house and his mom’s, his body rebelled and he is not feeling so swell now. I need his help to get the boxes out from our storage, a 2 person job. Told DH Christmas comes down when it does, nonissue. Actually love my tree, so I am taking the time to enjoy it. Always too busy pre-Christmas.
dani_m08
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
OMG! I am so happy that I stumbled upon this thread! I’ve been feeling ”guilty” because I haven’t taken down any of my Christmas decorations yet. Plus, my SO has been teasing me about it for the past several days.

I was in the hospital at the beginning of December, so I didnt have the energy to put anything out/up. Then my best Christmas present EVER came early on December 18th, so I was preoccupied for a few days. . .

Since I didn’t have all (most) of my decorations up until less than a week before Christmas, I just don’t feel like taking them down yet!

I’m in the middle of renovating my ENTIRE house - so please ignore paint colors/furniture/trim/old wallpaper/etc!

There is A LOT more decorations - but I figured these were enough photos! LOL!
mtnrdredux_gw
Original Author
2 years ago
congrats! and glad to be of "help" in assuaging any (misplaced!) guilt

luv luv the nutcrackers!

baby (and mommy) are gorge!
Jilly
2 years ago
dmac, congratulations! Best Christmas present ever. :) ❤️❤️
pudgeder
2 years ago
Congrats dmac!!!

Not only is my tree, (well 2 medium sized trees) up, the boxes for all the decor are in the dining room. Just can't find the urge.

At this rate it'll be July before I get it down.
bpath
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Dmac, a live little tomte to join the troupe! Congratulations!
bpath
2 years ago
DH took down the outside lighted garlands yesterday when it was warm. Looks like most people who still had lights up did the same, some left a bit of lights on a bush, a door, or a planter. But I replaced the batteries in my indoor fairy lights.
Kswl
2 years ago
Congratulations on your beautiful little Christmas present! I’d say you have an unlimited pass from the great spirits of christmas to put those decorstions away whenever you feel like it.
nini804
2 years ago
What a precious little gift, @dani_m08!! Huge congrats!!!
Tina Marie
2 years ago
You win the best gift award! congrats!!
lascatx
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Our tree is still up. It has always felt like something enjoyed too much to be so short lived., but once married the reasoning shifted. DH is a bit compulsive in the way he has to do everything Christmas tree related and it took the joy out of decorating the tree for me, so it's his job now. I enjoy the lights so I don't usually start feeling like it's time to take it down until mid to late January. After that, I start teasing him about decorating it for Valentine's day and Easter. We had our son here until late last week and this week has been crazy with unplanned things, so the tree is still up. The wreath came down right after Christmas -- our weather had been so warm that it was starting to turn fast. Now we get the cold. Now it feels like Christmas weather. LOL We may light the fire in that room and enjoy it through this coming week, but I'd like to have it down before we get busy in the gardens and all our attention moves outdoors.
teeda
2 years ago
Congratulations, Dmac!!!
jill302
2 years ago
Congratulations, Dmac! A big welcome to your little one.
dedtired
2 years ago
Another congratulations on your little Christmas angel. How sweet.
Allison0704
2 years ago
So sweet, dmac! Congrats!
lascatx
2 years ago
Dmac, meant to add my congrats as well. As long as the tree is artificial, you get a pass on decorations for as long as you like from me. If you are lucky, you will have a napper and start getting things done before long. Hope so.