What Goes Up Must Come Down

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

What goes up must come down.     

Sadly, it’s time to start thinking about taking down the Christmas Tree.  Deep in tradition, the tree de-decorating, takes place on the twelfth night after Christmas or Jan. 5th.  Historically, it signifies the end of Christmas and was celebrated by the Victorians with games, music and cake. 

Nowadays, it is often a matter of convenience and safety as well. 

If your tree has stopped drinking water and the needles are falling off like a bad set of false eyelashes, then it’s time to kick that tree to the curb!   

Most local municipalities will pick up your tree sans lights and decorations, and will mulch it to be spread around your community.   

Here are a few tips on when the tree should come down and the best ways to do so 

1. If the tree is drying out, unplug the lights and move it away from any heating source or electrical outlet 

1. Remove all lights and ornaments.  Grab a tarp or and old sheet and wrap it or drag it out  to prevent those needles from going everywhere!  We’ve all found a needle months later and wondered how it got there!. 

1. How many treasured ornaments didn’t make it on your tree this year because they were broken?   Finding the time before Christmas to repair them is just about impossible.   Repair them now, before wrapping and storing away, to ensure they will be happily swinging from a small branch next year. 

1. Try to sweep the needles away, many vacuum cleaners don’t do well with pine needles.  

1. Take batteries out of flameless candles, lights and other ornaments for storage. Extreme temperatures can cause the batteries to corrode,  potentially damaging your treasure 

Finally, take many pictures!  The memories you created this holiday season, will sustain until it’s time to do it all again next year.