12 Days of Christmas

Growing up, my family always believed in the twelve days of Christmas, which means that the Christmas season lasts 12 days, until Epiphany.  That means our tree is one of the only ones still up and lit, but the plug gets pulled tonight. 

So many people complain about Christmas being so commercial but then treat it like it's a single day, which kind of bums me out.  We leave our tree and other decorations up until Epiphany.  Growing up, we put up our tree late and left it up until Epiphany, but we had a real tree, so you couldn't do it too early, and we were home to enjoy it.  Now that hubby and I are gone for at least a week for Christmas, I feel like I don't get to enjoy the tree long enough if I wait to put it up, so we put up the tree early now, but it still stays up until Jan. 6. 

So now that Christmas season is ending for real, here it is:

I'm going to be sad to see the tree go.  But it's officially time.  Realistically, it probably won't be done until Saturday, but no more lights starting tonight.  And I really should eat up those last remaining Christmas cookies. 

Saturday we're celebrating Epiphany in the traditional Italian way with a bunch of people -- La Befana, the Epiphany witch, is coming.  We'll eat and then enjoy Torta della Befana, a special Epiphany cake.  My godson and his sister, and possibly hubby's godson and his brother, will be with us (and their parents and our neighbors, and probably many other friends) and there are going to be stories about the holiday in Italy.  And we're delivering our godchildren's gifts that day (and their parents').  Then under the tree will finally be empty! 

La Befana vien di notte
con le scarpe tutte rotte
col cappello alla romana...

VIVA VIVA LA BEFANA!