When do you put up your Christmas tree (and/or trimmings)?

AuntyRach · December 2018

I have noticed a large amount of lights and trees going up this weekend. I wondered what traditions/rules you all have.
I generally put a tree up late, although recently we have a real one so tend to purchase mid December. I often start with some trimmings on the first weekend in December, e.g. I made table decorations and a wreath yesterday.

AuntyRach · December 2018

Thank you for sharing @pansyface. I would much prefer to have a Winter festival which is inclusive (if desired) and non-religious, as I like the idea of celebrating the seasons, having some family traditions and maybe treating the ones you love. I suppose my personal choices and traditions reflect that in some way, although the commercial aspect spoils it somewhat. I nearly always work over Christmas (NHS) so that puts its own slant on things too.

raisingirl · December 2018

Other

I would have thought most gardeners would in some way mark the turn of the year - the equinox and solstices are all relevant to planting and harvest. Of course the pope got the date wrong but that is where it all started - the 'true meaning of Christmas'.

And following that logic, I do put up lights at some point in December when the weather is calm enough, so not yet. Maybe next weekend. I think candles and lights to lift the gloom are a sensible way to mark midwinter. They often stay up well past 12th night though. Generally if we get a cold sunny spell in January, that will prompt me to take down the lights, bring in a few early daffs, start my chillis off on the windowsill and start looking forward to spring.

We may get a growing tree this year - I take PF's point but we actually have room for a few more conifers in my 'shelter belt' at the far end of the garden. But only if there's a decent looking tree in the GC when/if I get round to looking - it's the long term life of the tree I'm interested in rather than decoration for Christmas week. We got a lovely blue fir a few years ago - it's a fine tree doing very well.

B3 · December 2018

Not before 17 th December and I'm bored with it well before new year. Once the tree's down, you can start looking forward to spring

LauraRoslin · December 2018

I never have a Christmas tree

I live alone so there's no point in Xmas decorations of any variety.

AuntyRach · December 2018

Really interesting comments and differences, thank you for sharing. I love reading about traditions in other countries too - Christmas or other Winter festivals. I think the ideas about lights, cosiness (in the dark and cold climates) and feasting run through many of these celebrations and are arguably the best bits.
Whether we class the ‘true meaning’ as religious or have a more modern or nature-inspired interpretation, Christmas can sometimes be an enforced ritual of spending money, getting drunk and naffness; unless we put our own spin on things perhaps...

stewyfizz · December 2018

A certain set day

Usually 1st Sunday in Dec (today!). Not overly keen on the whole Christmas shop-til-you-drop extravaganza. Our family do a 'secret santa' thing where one person buys presents for one other, with a cost limit (£60 this year). I also get a few things for the OH and thats it. Not a overly religious person either (despite being brought up in a church-going family - i am the black sheep). Christmas to me is getting together with those you care about. Thats no bad thing. Oh and a week off work!

Palustris · December 2018

I never have a Christmas tree

The nice thing about there just being the two of us over Christmas means that we do not have to bother with all the fripperies which go with it. When the children were small, we did, but once they left we stopped bothering. Like it that way.

BenCotto · December 2018

I’m very pragmatic. Our gardener comes on a Thursday and as there’s so little to do in the garden at this time of year, this Thursday we’re going to put up all the decorations. Fortunately she is a person of great taste and knows how to dress the trees etc. Yes, trees ... we have two or three as well as other bits and pieces. Here, for example, is the branch over the fireplace.

AuntyRach · December 2018

Lovely to hear all the individual ‘spins’ and stories. Thank you.

When do you put up your Christmas tree (and/or trimmings)?

When do you put up your Christmas tree (and/or trimmings)? 41 votes

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