HARRISBURG, Pa. — It's always more fun to decorate for Christmas than to clean up. However, you may be able to put off tossing those festive lights and ornaments into the storage bins for longer than you think.
National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day is on Jan. 6 and provides the perfect end to the season for some. It marks Epiphany, celebrating the last of the 12 days of Christmas.
Nevertheless, taking down the Christmas tree is completely at your discretion, no matter what the calendar says. As the days get colder and shorter, some bright lights can cheer up any dreary evening.
For live Christmas trees, it's best to keep in mind that recycling programs usually run for the first two weeks of January, but an artificial tree can be year-round!
In York County, recycling has already begun for those ready to get a jump-start on post-Christmas clean-up.
According to a study by Lombardo Homes, Pennsylvania ranks second for decoration searches per capita. The most popular decorations include trees, lights, garlands, snowmen and, of course, Santa Claus.
The most popular decoration in Pa. is an electronic candle in the window, according to the same study.
For those with bright, twinkling outside lights, just remember some of the energy costs that come along with the dazzling sight. Energy.gov estimates that powering a six-foot Christmas tree for 40 days with incandescent C9 bulbs will add roughly $10 per month to an electric bill.
It's also important to get the neighbor's opinion, especially if the glow of your lights can be seen from the main areas of their homes.
For those who are just unsure of what date to take down the lights, consider Feb. 14. It's another holiday, and it doesn't burn too far into winter!
