Candlemas (2 February) is way after the end of the Christmas liturgical season.
We still have about 5 up around us but our weather has been bad with a lot of cold and ice. Last winter some didn’t come down until March and one family decided just to leave most of theirs up all year.
I’m pretty happy to still see lights up. January is dark and cold – why not light a few candles?
What is the big deal about taking down the lights? I’ve never heard anyone in my town talking about it this way.
In fact, driving around in the evening and morning, lots of people in my neighbourhood still have their lights on when it’s dark. Helps cheer the place up during our long dark winters.
I’m thrilled that we finally took down the Tree. Since my lights pull a grand total of 8 watts, I just leave them plugged in 24/7 until we take them down. Let’s see, 8 watts x 24hrs x 90 days = 17,000Wh. 17kWh x $.16 = almost $3. Nope, not going out to unplug them.
When I was just out bringing the laundry in, I saw my neighbor taking in his deflated lawn decorations. The lights on his roof were lit - maybe so he could find them to take them down? Maybe one last fling?
Pikers! My neighbor has left his up for over five years. He checks the lights in September, & turns them on around December 5th. They get turned off around January 15th.
I do not do Christmas. If I did, I would follow his lead.
OTOH it is an excellent opportunity to dispose of the dead trees via bonfire.
Not around here. We’re usually on total fire bans by 2 February.
As of last night, I am the last person on my block to still have my lights turned on…but really, it’s one tiny strand over the front porch and one strand in one bush. When I drive home at night, it’s always nice to see all the pretty cheerful lights on all the houses, and makes it easier to find the house under all the snow. Too slippery to try and take them down for at least another month, but you have now all shamed me into locating the timer in the daylight and switching them off. It’ll be dark and gloomy at a time of year that really needs beacons in the darkness, but fine, fine, it’s fine…
I don’t think anyone in my neighborhood has taken them down yet.
Kittenblue. If the lights being on makes you happy, leave them on! They cost pennies per day & that is cheap for a happy thought. To heck with the naysayers! You should not be ashamed about this. There are other things perhaps, but not this. Enjoy your lights, they are yours, you paid for them. Ignore those other bums!
PS, The lights are not bothering the neighbors are they? If so, then maybe turn them off after 10:00 PM, & back on after 6:00 AM. Otherwise, let them shine!
PPS, I went outside to look, & my above mentioned neighbor has his lights on right now! They go around his eaves, & outline some of his windows. I am the only neighbor that can see them, so his neighbors do not mind at all!
I still don’t get why people get their knickers in a knot over this. I’ve never heard of it before.
Let them shine!