When the decorations go up (was: Being Scrooge-like)

[Mhochberg at aol.com]

>> Christian wrote:

<But it is not!  In the Anglo-American tradition, Christmas has 12
days - in the Scandinavian tradition Christmas has 13 or 20 days,
depending on regional traditions.>


>> Saitaina wrote: 

> Dang, in my family Christmas was done after dinner (usually before desert).
> Tree was down the next day, present excitement over and we're getting ready 
> for
> the next holiday. <<

I write:
Saitaina, that is so sad! Nowadays, we begin our Christmas projects on the 
Monday after Thanksgiving and end on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany. 

First we put an Advent wreath on the dining room table and the excitement 
builds over the next few weeks. Each day, we bring out another box of decorations 
or have a new activity. It's all very low key but building until the 25th. 
Then there is 12 days of celebration. Except for taking down the tree when it 
gets too dry to be safe, everything stays up until the 6th. Along the way, we 
celebrate St. Nicholas Day, St. Lucia Day, etc.

The first time I saw a decorated house become bare on December 26, I was so 
depressed. 

---Mary


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]