The Right Time To Taking Down Christmas Trees

So, you've had your fair share of festive shenanigans, eggnog, and holiday cheer. But now, there's a dilemma looming larger than that ugly Christmas sweater Aunt Mildred gifted you. When should you bid farewell to your Christmas tree? Fear not, tradition holds the answer, and it's as old as the question itself.

Forget what the calendar says about New Year's resolutions; we're diving into the quirky world of when to dismantle the dazzling centerpiece of your yuletide jubilation. Tradition points its festive finger to the Feast of Epiphany, the North Star guiding us to the end of the Christmas season. Bet you didn't know the 12 days of Christmas don't precede the big day – they follow it!

There is a specific reason as to why January 6 is the specific date to taking down the tree.  January 6 marks the day the three kings  arrived in Bethlehem after Jesus was born.  So, according to Better Home and Gardens,  mark January 6 on your calendars as the grand finale for the holiday hoopla. This is according to the age-old wisdom of Christian tradition, that's when your tree and all its twinkling comrades should gracefully exit stage left. signaling the official end of the Christmas celebrations.

Now, some might roll their eyes and mutter, "Why wait until January 6? Isn't the sparkle gone after December 25?" Well, hold your tinsel! Tradition claims that Christmas Day is merely the kick-off to the 12-day extravaganza, culminating in the Feast of Epiphany. It's like the holiday season does a final victory lap before gracefully bowing out.

Picture this: leaving your decorations up post-January 6 is akin to tempting fate. Some folks are convinced it's bad luck – and who wants to start a new year with an angry Christmas tree spirit on their hands? So, heed the age-old advice, beat the bad luck blues, and usher in the new year with a clean slate and a Christmas-tree-free living room.

As you bid farewell to your festive fir, take a moment to thank tradition for providing the perfect answer to the age-old quandary of when to part ways with your evergreen companion. And who knows, maybe next year, you'll be the one sharing the secret with friends, family, and that neighbor who still has their lights up in February. Cheers to tradition, the unsung hero of the holiday cleanup!

A new relationship can be exciting. The possibilities are all ahead, and things seem perfect, at least for a while. This is the "honeymoon phase," where you don't see (or you ignore) all the little annoying things in your partner and feel totally infatuated. If you're lucky, that feeling lasts forever. Well, the holidays can be a difficult time for dating. So, what are some holiday dating do's and don'ts?

It really seems like people are more apt to want to get into a relationship during the holidays. It makes sense. Much of America gets cold during the holiday months, and cuddling with a significant other while watching movies and drinking hot cocoa or an adult beverage is a fun holiday activity. Also, the holidays are the time of year when you're most likely to see family and friends. If they're all hooked up with significant others, you might feel pressure to find someone, too.

Before we get into the light-hearted do's and don'ts, one serious don't is hooking up with the wrong person just to feel like you have someone during the holidays. Sure, you might feel lonely at the annual family gathering if everyone else has a date, but it's not worth dating someone who is totally wrong for you just to have arm candy at Christmas dinner. This really holds true all year, as often times, events pop up where you might think, "Hey, I would love a date for this." But, if it's the wrong person, just don't do it. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache in the end.

So, what are some holiday dating do's and don'ts? Read on for a festive list. These are especially true if you're in a new relationships, because the holidays can be brutal for new love. But, the holidays can also be beautiful for a budding romance. Reach out to us with your holiday dating stories, too.

If you're started dating someone you really like, it might be temping to bring them to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. But, that could also freak them out. I remember going out with someone just once and getting invited to a holiday dinner. It made me a little uncomfortable, because even if I liked that person, it seemed like a big jump. So, if you do want to invite that new love to a holiday family event, make sure to talk it over with them and give them the option to say no.

If you're in a newer relationship, resist the temptation to buy your new love too much for Christmas. "Oh, he's a Packers fan! I'm going to buy all the Packers gear I can find!" Just don't do it. It's okay to give gifts, but keep it small if you haven't been together long, or you might look insane.

If you're in a new relationship, you should get something for your new partner during the holidays. But, as mentioned above, don't overdo it. A small, meaningful gift will likely be welcomed during the holidays and not scare your new love away.

Maybe you're used to seeing your new love a few times a week. What if that's just once a week, or less, during the holidays? Don't freak out or start crying or anything. The holidays are a busy time for all, and that means schedules change.

You might get invited to some fun holiday parties or work parties by your new love, and you might want to invite them to yours. That's fine and much less pressure than a family event. But, be on good behavior. Don't try to be the life of the party or anything, as you might mortify your date. Sometimes, people like to overdo it in the early stages and try to really impress, but you really just need to be yourself when meeting new friends and chill out a bit.