When should Christmas lights be put up & when should they be taken down? I've always gone by the rule my Mom used. Up after Thanksgiving & down the week after New Years.
AND...
SHOULD THERE BE A LAW...?
I've already seen 3 stores with Christmas lights and Sale signs up. Jeezus H!, it's not even Halloween yet.
P.S. NO discussion of religion or religious ornaments, statues, and/or symbols please. (Keep it light) Thanks.
2006-10-23 12:45:39 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
As to when Christmas lights should be put up and taken down, I would certainly argue against any law... if for no other reason than that people put them up (and take them down) for different reasons. For those who aren't particularly religious, they are a way of celebrating the secular Christmas (the Christmas of decorated trees and gift exchanges, and of people being, albeit briefly, a little nicer to one another). For some people the lights are also competitive-- it's a way outshining (sorry!) you neighbor, and every year the display has to get bigger and bigger. For these folk, it often starts earlier and earlier, too, although lights are still considered tacky until after Thanksgiving.
For others, for whom Christmas is primarily the religious celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, there's still no hard/fast rule. For Protestants (and for Catholics who aren't ridiculously persnickety) the lights may go up anytime in December, and come down anytime after Christmas Day.
For the ridiculously persnickety, 'Christmas' lights are lights for Christmas. During Advent (the four weeks of solemn preparation before Christmas) I have only blue lights on my house. On Christmas Eve, I swap out the plugs and the brightly-colored lights come on instead. They come down again on the last day of Christmas, twelve days later (remember, "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me..."?). Thus, by being ridiculously persnickety about religion, I get to do the lights twice!
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Oh, and sorry about violating the "P.S. No discussion of religion", but it's hard to talk about Christmas without mentioning, um, well, Christmas.
2006-10-23 16:48:45 · answer #1 · answered by The Padre 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The rule I was taught was the very same as you, by my Mom. However some people put them up early and take them down at a later time. For me the lights are very pretty and I think it should be left up to the individual. I can't see how Christmas lights should affect anyone's standard of living, there are too many laws now trying to control people's choices. America is suppose to be a democracy, so find something better to do with yourself. As America has a lot more pressing issues and Mid Term elections are coming up, it would be good if we could focus more on that.
2006-10-31 10:46:15 · answer #2 · answered by VLEEKS47 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The earliest to put up lights is the day after Thanksgiving. The latest to take them down January 8th. Orthodox Christmas is on the 7th of January and since we celebrate that day too, we leave the lights up and on the 8th they come down. I don't think there should be a law though. There are far worse things that need laws and don't have one.
2006-10-23 19:56:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Whenever you want to put them up and take them down. Should there be a law? Um NO. It is NOT the government's place to decide when Christmas lights should go up or down. Nor is it YOUR place to make such decisions for other people.
How come when people have a "feeling" about something they always think another law should be made?
2006-10-24 13:51:41 · answer #4 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why should there be a law saying when people can & can't decorate? The sales are so people get their shopping done early. Trust me, I work in retail and we'd rather have people get their stuff bought now so there is less headache later. There is a family in my neighborhood who leave their Christmas tree up (and lit) all year long. If it bothers you, just don't go to those stores. My Christmas shopping is almost done. Heck, it's starting to snow here, that's my cue to get on the ball because it'll be here before you know it.
2006-10-23 21:25:08 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Please no laws for that too. I am putting up a tree very early this year , I have a reason. My husband has Alzheimer and I know this is the last year he will comprehend a tiny bit of this celebration that he loved so much. Imagine if a law was to prohibit me from this freedom. Will the people next door frown at my sanity, heck yes, but no I care? No. This is still a free country last time I looked and we can do as we please as far as decorations are concerned. Well, I sure hope so.
2006-10-23 19:55:15 · answer #6 · answered by antiekmama 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
from my view, I think they should be put up about the end of November or first week of December. But when taking them down, it should be taken down around a little bit after New Years Day just for celebration. But no I don't think they should have a law.
That's just ridiculous. And listen to your mom, mothers know best. =]]
2006-10-23 19:55:32 · answer #7 · answered by Andrea<3 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think after thanksgiving is a good time to put them up. My dad use to keep them up all year around but didnt turn them on until after thanksgiving. Doesnt really matter I guess. I love lights so they can put them up all year.
2006-10-23 19:57:44 · answer #8 · answered by Sierra 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, in the dark time of the year, I really enjoy seeing the coloured lights. It's very cheering and reminds me that even in the dark there's life. I know what you mean about earlier and earlier Christmas decorations, but here in Wisconsin, we have to get them up when we can! It seems the snow's starting early this year. Blessings!
2006-10-23 19:49:48 · answer #9 · answered by Mama Otter 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Put em up first week of December and take em down first week of January. Sometimes the weather dictates in colder climates so play it by ear. Don't leave em up year round like some lazy souls. Just my humble opinion.
2006-10-26 19:18:22 · answer #10 · answered by jim_hutton78 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋