For many families, turning on the Christmas lights is a holiday tradition that adds a touch of color and brightness to the dreary winter season. Whether you choose a single classic strand or go all out with a display that draws a crowd to your neighborhood, it’s also important to know when to take them down. Although this topic is often controversial, knowing the primary guidelines for taking down holiday lights helps you plan for when to remove your festive display.
Get a Jumpstart On New Year’s Day
The New Year represents a fresh start for many people who are eager to embrace a calendar that is filled with infinite possibilities. If you fall within this line of thinking, then you may prefer to end the year by removing the old holiday decorations. Taking down Christmas lights on the first day of the year may also make sense if you already have time off from work for the holidays.
Celebrate Through Three Kings Day
Leaving the lights up might be preferable for people who host New Year’s Day events or who celebrate other holidays. Three Kings Day is the culmination of the 12 days of Christmas that people celebrate all over the world. If you have a global mindset or celebrate the event yourself, then leaving the lights on through January 6 might be one of your most cherished holiday traditions.
Denver is a Little Different
The Stock show is a very popular event in Denver and is visited by people throughout the country. It has become a tradition in Denver to leave your lights up through the Stock Show which ends in the later part of January. So it is definitely normal in parts of Denver to leave your lights up a little longer than other places.
End January With a Clean Slate
By the time January ends, the holidays are long over. This is why many people suggest that the lights should at least be turned off by the end of this month. If you use removable lights, this is also a good time to put them into storage along with the rest of your holiday decorations.
Consider the 90-Day Rule
Even the biggest procrastinators tend to get motivated by increased energy costs. Utility companies tend to recommend using energy conservation methods to reduce usage during the holiday season. Running holiday lights can add up to increased utility bills, especially if you use ones that were made before newer technology improved efficiency. Making sure to turn the lights off by the 90-day mark also reduces wear and tear on your home’s electrical system.
Check Your Local Community Guidelines
In a perfect world, you’d have free range regarding when to take down holiday lights. But, many HOAs and city municipalities have guidelines in place to regulate seasonal decor. For instance, your HOA may allow for a 30-day leniency period around special holidays to leave decorations up. Always check your local rules and regulations to avoid potential penalties such as fines for falling outside of the agreed-upon guidelines.
Be Respectful Of Your Neighbors
A good rule of thumb to follow is to align with your general neighbor’s expectations regarding holiday lights. If you see them turning their Christmas lights off, then they may be annoyed by the presence of others being left on for weeks. At the very least, make sure your lights don’t shine into other people’s homes. Remembering to turn them off at night also helps to ensure that your holiday joy doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s sleep. Automating the lights is a great way to make turning them off at night a no-thought process.
In many places, the choice of when to remove your Christmas lights is truly up to you. In fact, some newer types of LED lighting systems allow you to change the colors to fit each new season. No matter where you fall on the timeline for light removal, remember to always use festive lights safely and take time to enjoy them. After all, the holiday season only spans a couple of months, which makes lighting up your home or business truly special.
