How did that superstition originate, and what kind of bad luck was associated with it?
My birthday's on the 8th - my mum always left our tree up until the 9th, which worried me and bemused my school friends.
2007-01-06 04:01:54 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Because Santa's fallen elves are jealous of the sparkle of your baubles and the spell that holds them back from wreaking vengeance only lasts until today. After which, woe betide anyone left with a hint of glitter, for their wrath is mighty and they are high on left-over mince pies and sherry.
Ok, I'm joking. MY birthday's on the 16th and I always do my best to hang onto the decs until then, 'cos I like them. No harm has ever befallen me (apart from getting older and developing a very odd sense of humour...)
Oh, and a real answer is that Yule (the old pagan festival) lasts until 6 January, after which the Yule Log should have burnt down, the holiday was over and it was time to get back to work!
.
2007-01-06 05:36:37 · answer #1 · answered by Nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok- It's because this is the twelvth day of Christmas which is when the 3 wise men arrived. As well as bringing gifts they also brought the warning that Herod was looking for the baby to kill him. Taking down the decorations is symbolic of the family going into hiding (the flight into Egypt). So it would have been bad luck to draw attention to themselves (having your baby murdered would be considered bad luck by most people I guess).
2007-01-06 15:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by nealo d 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure ,but I think it has something to do with the European "Little Christmas." But I never heard of it being bad luck to leave decorations up past the 8th.Just that decorations are taken down after "Little Christmas",on the 8th.
2007-01-06 15:47:19 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Angel♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of this, but I bet it has to do with today being "Epihphany", which is a church holiday celebrating when the Magi met Jesus. It is twelve days after Christmas, and I believe it used to be customary to give gifts each day between Christmas and Epiphany. (Hence, "The Twelve Days of Christmas".)
Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season, so that may be the reason!
2007-01-06 17:28:21 · answer #4 · answered by snide76258 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It won't bring you bad luck, just bad looks. It isn't bad luck, it's just plain lazy. Don't worry, take it from me, I'm overly paranoid about things bringing me bad luck, but this is not one of the things I'd worry about.
2007-01-06 16:39:46 · answer #5 · answered by lilfireyballofhate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard that it was bad luck.There are families out there that have left everything up waiting until their loved ones come back home from the war.
2007-01-06 12:41:15 · answer #6 · answered by Ms Lety 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how you could stand to still have the decorations up. Mine were down on New Years Day.
2007-01-06 12:10:56 · answer #7 · answered by Jovi Freak 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This superstition was probably invented by neighbors who were sick of the whole 'holiday thing'.
I've known folks who'd leave their christmast stuff out til Easter...they were pretty hillbilly...
2007-01-06 12:06:14 · answer #8 · answered by heart o' gold 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know, these superstitions seem to pop up all over the world!
2007-01-06 12:04:21 · answer #9 · answered by Greybeard 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it's to do with 12 days of xmas a religious thing anyway 12 days is long enough
2007-01-06 13:34:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋