O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Much discussion has taken place this weekend over on Twitter and Facebook on when it's appropriate to take down the Christmas tree. 

So far I've heard:

   Christmas Day

   Not before New Year's--it's bad luck (this was the one I grew up with)

   Epiphany (that would be today)

   Never--make it an all season tree.

We've had our tree up a good long while this year.  It went up Nov. 2 (yeah--that early) and we just haven't put it up yet.  We went through a post-Christmas feeling this weekend with the cold weather and the smell of chimney's burning copius amounts of wood and a SANTA CLAUS trilogy that lasted until Sunday night.  I suppose we'll get around to putting it up later this week.

I've got friends that have whole closets that hold their trees--upright and decorated with a bag over them.  All they have to do next year is wheel them out.  I have another friend who has 13 trees!

So--when do you take down your tree?

How long do you keep your Christmas tree up?

Thanksgiving Naps--I'm There!

Every Thanksgiving I have a ritual that I must observe. The Thanksgiving NAP is a tradition with me. I don't know when it began because certainly when I was little naps were the last thing on my mind.

 Anyway, when the day begins I count the hours until I can crash after a wonderful meal of turkey and dressing. I even save my dessert until after the nap.

In one of our former churches we were blessed to be included each year in a church member's family and their Thanksgiving traditions. Each year I would come in and "spot" my couch and claim to the rest of them to stay away from it. What a glorious day to eat and enjoy the food and be filled with the fellowship of friends and family. Thanksgiving naps are the best.

How about you? What do you do after the Thanksgiving meal.