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Some flavors of Christianity keep it until January 18th, I think. There's laziness, too, I suppose. I'll actually be putting up Christmas lights the week after next because screw being out in the cold for hours at a time. Unfortunately, while it is fairly warm where we live, it shifts overnight into low-mid 30s at night and highs of low 50s during the day almost within a 72 hour time period. I'm getting a shipment of aged wood later this week for fireplace use (and BBQ).
 
Is it normal to leave decerations up until the end of January in the US then?

My lot takes Christmas decorations down on January 7th. The 12 days of Christmas end on Epiphany, January 6th, so... when it's over, it's over! But one boss I had back in the city had an artificial tree, and hated everything about winter, so she left her Christmas tree up in her apartment until she saw spring flowers coming up in the gardens of city parks.

Buyers don't buy because of pressure from retailers. Retailers sell because of demand from buyers.

I don't think so. Retailers pitch holidays with commercial zeal one after another. As soon as New Year's Day headaches recede, they're onto Valentine's Day, which used to be just a day you took paper and paints and made your own special card for someone. Now it's a blitz of pricey material gift suggestions. :D meanwhile people are struggling in January to start paying off their plastic from its December outing and they see the retailers ramping up for February 14th already.. Ugh! Same feeling I have about Christmas lights and music before Thanksgiving. It's an artifice. I try to ignore it. But to each his own. If you like it, the retailers are with you all the way. In fact, they led you to it. :D
 
I remember Christmas being more special, and having to special order stuff through a store via their catalog because stores weren't as big then as they are now. The only thing that hasn't changed are those family members who just want to gnaw on cheese and ham for hours at a time and then wonder why they're bloated when they decide to go home who shall remain nameless.

One of the best parts of the holidays are the leftovers. It's really nice to make a ham and sharp aged cheddar sandwich for breakfast. Heat up some ham in a cast iron skillet, throw in some lightly whipped eggs and let it encase said ham, then throw on some cheddar. I prefer cellar aged cheddar for its earthy flavor and slight bite. Put that on good, freshly toasted bread, then put another piece of bread, then repeat the ham process and then another piece of bread with some really good dijon mustard and a slice of tomato or two for good health. Maybe a thin slice of red onion. Wonderful filling morning snack.

Great way to pregame the holiday breakfasts. Oh, and if you can stomach it at 4 AM, a nice heaping glass of white wine.
 
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I don't think so. Retailers pitch holidays with commercial zeal one after another. As soon as New Year's Day headaches recede, they're onto Valentine's Day, which used to be just a day you took paper and paints and made your own special card for someone. Now it's a blitz of pricey material gift suggestions. :D meanwhile people are struggling in January to start paying off their plastic from its December outing and they see the retailers ramping up for February 14th already.. Ugh! Same feeling I have about Christmas lights and music before Thanksgiving. It's an artifice. I try to ignore it. But to each his own. If you like it, the retailers are with you all the way. In fact, they led you to it. :D
Don't get me started on the Hallmark Greeting Card Holiday that occurs on the 14th of February every year.

My wife and I have given that 'holiday' the middle finger every year since before we were married. To be told that this is the day you MUST express your love and that you MUST do it with cards, flowers and gifts is annoying enough. But to also imply every year that you are a cold, heartless bastard if you DON'T, is going too far.

It also makes my blood boil when the implication is that showing love for someone else on any other day doesn't count. It only counts on February 14th.

Both my wife and I completely reject Valentines and anything to do with it.

Ah, damn! I got started! Oh well!
 
Don't get me started on the Hallmark Greeting Card Holiday that occurs on the 14th of February every year.

My wife and I have given that 'holiday' the middle finger every year since before we were married. To be told that this is the day you MUST express your love and that you MUST do it with cards, flowers and gifts is annoying enough. But to also imply every year that you are a cold, heartless bastard if you DON'T, is going too far.

It also makes my blood boil when the implication is that showing love for someone else on any other day doesn't count. It only counts on February 14th.

Both my wife and I completely reject Valentines and anything to do with it.

Ah, damn! I got started! Oh well!
Married 20 years. Never bought my wife flowers.
 
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Married 20 years. Never bought my wife flowers.
My wife likes a specific flower that is never available at the grocery store. If I want to get her flowers, I have to go to a flower shop for it. I so rarely do that though (only really special occasions) that I often have to try very hard to remember what it is.

My wife is more of a practical gift person. My mom got her a Dyson vacuum once and my wife was ecstatic.
 
Practical gifts are always nice. Or even sentimental or meaningfully chosen ones. I think the worst new trend for the holiday is the meat in shape of a heart thing at certain butchers' places. I think the stereotypical Valentine's Day dos and donts are better set for young teenagers rather than mature adults.

They've even ruined Easter. "Buy your spouse this 10 carat diamond bracelet for Easter. It's only $7,999.99!" Or "Buy a his and her's Rolex set for Easter. Free pound of Godiva truffles with each purchase."

I mean, the modern Easter Bunny is for kids who you couldn't really explain the reason behind Easter because you don't want them to scream their heads off. Or try explaining the history behind the bunny.

I'm even certain there have been children out there who've bitten into a live rabbit thinking they were chocolate on the inside. There's always that one child you knew when you were a child or is the child of one of your friends who was just a dumbass as a child.
 
Don't get me started on the Hallmark Greeting Card Holiday that occurs on the 14th of February every year.

My wife and I have given that 'holiday' the middle finger every year since before we were married. To be told that this is the day you MUST express your love and that you MUST do it with cards, flowers and gifts is annoying enough. But to also imply every year that you are a cold, heartless bastard if you DON'T, is going too far.

It also makes my blood boil when the implication is that showing love for someone else on any other day doesn't count. It only counts on February 14th.

Both my wife and I completely reject Valentines and anything to do with it.

Ah, damn! I got started! Oh well!

Nobody is saying you must do anything except stupid marketers and that's their jobs. And the implication is not there at all, to me. I don't see it at all but....


 
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Sadlly there's no money in remembering it.

I wouldn’t say that. I think grocery stores get a big boost as people are preparing to serve large meals. Airlines also are very busy for the holiday.
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We don’t decorate at all for Christmas. We don’t celebrate it at all. Not everyone does for a variety of reasons.
Role on January!

Out of curiosity, why don’t you celebrate Christmas?
 
My wife likes a specific flower that is never available at the grocery store. If I want to get her flowers, I have to go to a flower shop for it. I so rarely do that though (only really special occasions) that I often have to try very hard to remember what it is.

My wife is more of a practical gift person. My mom got her a Dyson vacuum once and my wife was ecstatic.
You can always get nice flowers at the local Church yard! ;)

My wife doesn’t like cut flowers, so that’s why I’ve never bought them. We have a joint account, so when she wants something (and it is always craft related) she just orders it.
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I wouldn’t say that. I think grocery stores get a big boost as people are preparing to serve large meals. Airlines also are very busy for the holiday.
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Out of curiosity, why don’t you celebrate Christmas?
We lost our daughter on January the 4th 3 years ago this year. Things like Christmas and Birthday’s are meaningless when you can’t share them with those you love.
We haven’t celebrated anything since.

Btw she didn’t die, but we lost her all the same. It’s complicated.
 
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We lost our daughter on January the 4th 3 years ago this year. Things like Christmas and Birthday’s are meaningless when you can’t share them with those you love.
We haven’t celebrated anything since.

Btw she didn’t die, but we lost her all the same. It’s complicated.

Im sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope and pray that you will be reconciled with her in the future.
 
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