Not a member of Country Baskets? Why not join today and get 10% Off, click here for membership informationIn the run-up to Christmas Eve, there's nothing more to get you in the festive mood than the Christmas tree in the corner of a room, festooned with twinkly lights and an array of baubles. But now as we welcome in 2017 thoughts are turning back to school and work, the sagging branches are looking a bit sad and rooms are feeling just a bit too crammed full. There's probably more pine needles on the floor than on the lower boughs, and that traditional Christmas tree smell has all but faded. You may have already taken them down, but the tradition, since the Victorian era, is to remove decorations on Twelfth Night. Read more: Can you match the stars to their very own Christmas trees? Every year this very tradition causes confusion, as people are left scratching their heads wondering when the date falls and why. Read on for the answers and the date when you should take down your decorations.

Depending on which faith you follow it's either January 5 or January 6, and the last day you should keep festive decorations up. A day sooner or later is considered unlucky, and if decorations are not removed on Twelfth Night then according to tradition they should stay up all year. Until the 19th century though, people would keep their decorations up until Candlemas Day on February 2. Twelfth Night falls on January 5 and Epiphany on January 6. Twelfth Night is so called because traditionally Christmas was a 12 day celebration, beginning on December 25. This can create some confusion as some will class January 6 as Twelfth Night because it is the 12th day after Christmas. Epiphany marks the end of Christmas, when Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist and the Three Kings came to visit bearing gifts, guided by the star which is now represented in the twinkling lights adorning our homes. January 5 is observed as the last day of Christmas festivities - the eve of the Epiphany. In the past it was believed that tree-spirits lived in the greenery – such as holly and ivy – that people used to decorate their homes.

While the festive season provided shelter for these spirits during the winter, they needed to be released outside once Christmas was over. If this custom wasn’t followed, greenery would not return and vegetation would not grow as a result, causing agricultural and then food problems. Even though Christmas decorations are now less about foliage and more about baubles, glitter, tinsel and singing Santas, many people still adhere to the superstition. Because there is disagreement as to whether January 5 or January 6 is actually Twelfth Night lots of countries end up taking down their festooned trees at different times. This can also depend on when people actually celebrate the festive season - for example in Russia Christmas Day falls on January 7. But January 6 is officially the day of the Epiphany. This is from the Christian tradition that tells us Jesus was born on December 25, but the Magi didn’t actually arrive in Bethlehem with his presents until January 6. Children were traditionally told that if you took down your decorations before the Eve of the Epiphany, the wise men might not be able to find their way - because Christmas lights represent the Star of Bethlehem which guided them to Jesus.

A number of countries in Europe follow the January 6 tradition, including the Germans, Poles and Czechs. marshalls home decor online shoppingHowever for some people, simply having the decorations up into the New Year is too much and many will be taking them down today. best exterior paint for doorsReal Christmas trees will be accepted at most household tips, but local authorities, garden centres and community groups may accept them for recycling. diy party decorations using paperFind out where might be suitable for this in your area. buy christmas table decorations online

If your decorations aren’t going into a loft or attic, make sure they’re stored in a watertight, plastic box - in fact, doing this wherever they are kept will protect them from damp and pests. vintage christmas decorations to make pinterestIt’s also worth wrapping fragile Christmas ornaments in tissue paper before storage - and, of course, coiling the lights in a neat circle round your arm. christmas decorations wholesale suppliers ukObviously the loft fairies will have tangled them into a mess by next December, but at least you can say you tried when you open them in a frazzled temper next time. The UK is estimated to use almost 300,000 tonnes of card packaging at Christmas, enough to make a cardboard motorway stretching from Birmingham to Lapland and back 110 times.

Recycle Now is urging consumers to recycle this material rather than bin it. Shiny and metallic varieties of wrapping paper are not recyclable, so the campaign advises people to use the ‘scrunch test’ to check. If you scrunch the paper in your hand and it stays in a ball then it can by recycled but it can’t if the paper springs back. If you're recycling bin is full, several shops such as Marks and Spencer run card recycling schemes to raise funds for charity. For every 1,000 cards dropped in to M&S stores in January, a tree is planted by the Woodland Trust . Last year 32 million cards were collected and 32,000 trees planted.The giving of wedding favours is a centuries old tradition on mainland Europe allowing the bride and groom to offer a small token of thanks to their guests and families for celebrating their special day with them. The traditional offering would be 5 sugared almonds wrapped in tulle nets and decorated with ribbons and flowers. Today this traditional favour is still popular using our DIY wedding favours accessories you follow this tradition at a relatively low cost.

We have found that many couples like the option of being more creative with their wedding favours, tailoring these token gifts to suit the theme of their wedding, or the recipients. So in addition to our range of themed unique wedding favours we offer a superb range of wedding favour boxes, Swiss milk foil wrapped chocolate hearts, wedding sweets and candy, favour boxes and organza bags in a variety of colours and styles allowing you to create the perfect favours for your wedding day. Our range of favours are also a perfect way to add some decoration at parties, after all weddings are not the only big celebration you will host! We have picked out the products we think are most suitable as baby shower favours, Christening favours, anniversary table decorations and First Holy Communion and Confirmation favours. However, we have a huge range of table decorations and party favours please do browse the site for the perfect finishing touches to your special occasion. If you are having a dinner party then why not spruce up the dining table with a table centre piece?

Place cards are also an easy way to ensure that your guests sit where you would like them to and sprinkling a few table crystals or some confetti can inject some colour into your white table cloth. Many products are imported direct from the manufacturer to the UK, allowing us at favourfairy.co.uk to offer some of the most competitive prices online. Our superb range of Swiss foiled chocolate hearts is second to none and is suitable for vegetarians. Ask for a free sample to taste them before you buy. Our popular and growing range of retro and old-fashioned sweets is also sure to tempt those choosing a candy or sweetie buffet at their event. Pre-filled Children's Party Bags and Party Boxes Choosing from our wide range of exciting and engaging party bags at Favour Fairy will save you hours before each party. A party bag or box should not only be cost effective but also add something to the party. Our Party bag Fillers have been selected especially for these reasons. Ordered my wedding favours for the children from favour fairy and I’m over the moon with them, I will definitely use them again customer service was excellent too thank you so much 🙂

Review based on purchases on 02/01/17 Quick and efficient service… Items arrived ontime and were good value for price. Review of purchases made on 05/01/2017 Great experience, easy to order & order arrived quickly. Review based on purchases on 04/01/17 Quick delivery, well packaged, good quality and easy to assemble. Very happy with the product, especially for the price. Review based on purchases on 18/12/16 Very good service, the party bags contained very good quality products. I guess you get what you pay for as we went for one of the more expensive options. Review based on purchases on 11/12/16 After placing my order, my parcel arrived in good time for Christmas and I had a lovely surprise when I opened the box. The personalised favour boxes were even better than I thought they were going to be and I would definitely order from Favour Fairy again. Review based on purchases on 19/12/16 Hallo, and Happy New Year. Well, 2017 has finally come; t

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