Take down the Christmas decorations!

 It's the Twelfth Day of Christmas today so its time to pack away all of the lights 

and baubles for another year 

Now Christmas is past; Twelfth Day is the last

To the Old Year adieu; Great joy to the New.

In days past the twelfth night was the most festive, its celebrations were ruled by King Bean and the Queen of the Pea. Chosen by who ever found the bean or pea in their slice of the twelfth night cake.

All greenery would be taken down after this last fling as it was extremely unlucky to leave any sprig of holly or ivy in the house although in a few places they would remain up until Candlemas in February otherwise the more mischievous faeries  and pixies would be encouraged to inside.

Down with the rosemary and so 

down with the bais and Mistletoe

down with the holly, ivie and all

wherewith ye drest the Christmas hall

that's so the superstitious find

not one least branch there left behind

for look how many leaves there be

neglected there. maids trust to me 

so many goblins you shall see!

Although it is usual to compost the tree it is unwise to carelessly discard the evergreen decorations; some ceremonially burn the tree while in some cases  they are allowed to rot quietly in the garden, or perhaps re purpose as nesting spot for birds, squirrels etc.

Pine needles dry quickly while rotting slowly so can be used as a mulch