[Diane]

For the past few years, I have kept my Christmas tree up until February 2, the Feast of Candlemas (The Presentation of Our Lord and Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary). Traditionally this is end of the Christmas season, although in the current church calendar the Christmas season ends on the Feast of the Baptism (January 12 this year) and then we are back to "ordinary time." I was inspired by a priest who has spoken about how the true end of the Christmas season is the Feast of Candlemas and that he keeps his Christmas tree up until then. He is a priest who says the Novus Ordo and not the Traditional Latin Mass. By the way, I have a small artificial tabletop Christmas tree, which is very low maintenance. I am just curious if anyone else is keeping his or her Christmas tree up until February 2. If not, when did you take yours down?

I have it all down but it remains unorganized so that may be the same as up   This year I have had a wonderful time decorating. Valentines Day was wonderfully colorful here and I will be putting up my new Leprechauns I cut out in the next couple days. It took me longer to paint them than expected. Its fun now because of the little children next door. I have more of a zest for it now with them.