I just took down my Christmas tree this week. I know, I know, Martha had her tree down on January 2nd. It’s right there on her January calendar in the Living magazine my aunt passes along to me. Monday 2nd: Take down Christmas Tree. But no one is ever likely to confuse me with Martha Stewart. We thoroughly enjoyed this year’s tree, standing straight and slim, neatly fitted into a corner of the room, brightening the winter evenings with its cheerful display of lights. But even I felt it was time to move on now that we are past the half way mark of January.
I packed away the decorations and moved the tree outside where it can offer up its branches as perches for the birds. I suppose I could call it my Solstice tree, as I am more Gaian than Christian these days. The Christmas holidays hark back to pagan celebrations of the winter solstice in December.
We thought we would miss the little lights twinkling in the corner, so after Christmas I picked up three boxes of clear lights. They had been marked down to 94 cents in the January sales. Railguy brought me in a few branches and I strung the lights over them yesterday. As the sun set and daylight faded, I plugged in the branch lights and was quite pleased with the effect.
Willow House Chronicles 
Ah – you beat me to it! LOL. My tree comes down this weekend. I too enjoy the twinkling lights, and I am wondering about your idea of lights on twigs – looks so pretty. It always seems so dim and dull when Christmas comes down.
Ours is still up. The cats like to drink out of it – we wouldn’t want to deprive them.
Beautiful lights in the house. For some reason they add a bit of joy at any time of year — but especially in the darkness of winter.
You do have quite a bit of snow on the ground. Your birds will appreciate your solstice tree.
This weekend we will experience 61 degrees. A couple of days ago we had tornadoes in Kentucky. All this in spite of it still being Jan. — barbara
Anya, the cord of the lights shows up a bit more on branches than on an evergreen, but we’re pleased with the effect. it really does look dull when you take down the decorations.
Fiddlegirl, of course you can’t take away their favorite watering hole!
Barbara, 61 degrees! That’s wild. And tornadoes! It has been quite cold here. It’s reassuring to have winter act like winter.
I like it. The fact you kept the Christmas tree up until you were ready for a change and the new glow in the corner.
Thanks Grampy. We’ve been enjoying the lights these cold evenings.