An after Christmas poll

[HardyGirl]

So I'm in the process of taking down the Christmas decorations, (which always makes me sad), and I was wondering if other people do the same things I do when it comes to certain things. For example, do you:

When taking the icicles (tinsel) off your tree do you:
A) save it for next year
B) recycle it and buy new ones next year
C) throw it out and buy new ones next year

When taking down garland (the shiny kind) from walls, railing, or any place other than the tree, do you:
A) save it for next year
B) it's gotten too torn up taking it down, so you throw it away

When taking down your lights, do you:
A) methodically and carefully store them so they don't get tangled
B) stuff them in a bag or box and worry about the detangling next year

[kingdom warrior]

I just took down my tree as this is Three kings day. I hate taking it down wish i could keep it up more......it's always a downer for me.


1)I don't use Tinsel
2) I don't use Garland
3) I do separate all my lights to avoid tangles.....

[Earth 2 Chris]

My family cuts a real cedar tree every year, so we can't keep our tree up long. It came down the day after Christmas. The other decorations followed through the week, with my exterior lights coming down on New Year's Eve day. Christmas decorations after Christmas make me sad, and my wife agrees, so we don't keep them up long after.

We really don't use tinsel, and our garland is a string of silver beads. I wrapped them and the tree lights around left-over wrapping paper rolls. It kind of makes a spool for me to put them up easier next year too.

The outside lights I bundle separately. They don't get tangled too badly.

Chris

[SUP-Ronin]

We don't use tinsel, or garlands. I'm careful with the lights. It doesn't make me at all sad taking it down, actually I'm glad it's over.

[Adam West]

Growing up Catholic; I'm also used to keeping Christmas items up until at least Ephiphany which is January 6th.

I also don't use Tinsel
After years of Garland Breakage, we finally sprung for some better quality Garland (purchased on sale after Christmas) so generally take it down, throw it in a box and worry about next year.
Christmas tree...same thing. Purchased a nice pre-lit tree post Christmas a few years ago so it is simply a matter of unplugging lights, taking the tree apart in three sections with lights on them, place in box...no untangling necessary.

[ScottA]

1) C - tinsel is like 10 cents after Cristmas
2) A - save garland
3) A - put away as neatly as possible

[megoat]

Not to derail this thread or anything, but am I the only one who get's rid of their tree and puts away all the decorations on the 26th? I love Christmas, but when it's over, IT'S OVER.

[Meule]

1)I don't use Tinsel
2) I don't use Garland
3) I do separate all my lights to avoid tangles.....

Same here

[The Toyroom]

1)I don't use Tinsel
2) I don't use Garland
3) I do separate all my lights to avoid tangles.....

Ditto!

[wayne foundation 07]

Can't have tinsel,the cats would eat it then inturn more than likley throw it back up,easier to just go without.The lights are all bagged seperatly to make it easier next year.

[AJ Collector]

No tree this year for the first time in well forever! With the new puppy we figured we would avoid any accidents....

[HardyGirl]

Well, to answer my own question:

I reuse my tinsel (I have both gold and silver) ever year. As a matter of fact, 2 years ago, (my last Xmas w/ my mom) I finally both new tinsel for the first time in like 16 years! (silver only) It was really getting too straggly.

I think I have one or two of the garlands I had when I came back to Oakland in '92, but I do buy new ones every few years, b/c I tape them to the walls and railing, and the tape tears them up.

I'm really picky about my lights. I have 3 strings; 2 whites and 1 colored. The colored in a double length string that is really meant for outdoor use, but I use it to go around the tree and picture window, and the other 2 are for the bookcase and hallway. I always save twist ties from bread or other things, and I use them to store my lights. I gather them in small clusters and tie them w/ the twist ties. When I put the lights up, I undo one cluster at a time as I'm hanging and when I take them down, I reverse the process.