In a message dated 12/27/2002 2:19:50 PM Central Standard Time, Mwoman1948@aol.com writes: > Old Christmas was celebrated,seem like it was Jan.6th,does any one else know > the date and/or significance of the custom? I believe it was supposed to be the date of the arrival of the three Wise Men. I live in the South, where all traces of Christmas traditionally must be packed away before New Year's Day (though I can see that changing). However, I lived 5 years north of the Mason-Dixon Line and was astonished to see Christmas trees and decorations left up for weeks after Christmas, sometimes even months!

I grew up in North Alabama and many folks put their decorations up on or about Christmas Eve and left them until "12th night" or "Old Christmas," including one of my Grandmothers. I have been told it had to do with the calendar change from Gregorian to Roman and the supposed loss of twelve days. I don't know whether that is true but I sure thought it was a purely Southern Hill-Country custom. Your list mom, Mickey -----Original Message----- From: TennCookie@aol.com [mailto:TennCookie@aol.com] Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 5:41 PM To: SCSPARTA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [SCSPARTA] Christmas Memories In a message dated 12/27/2002 2:19:50 PM Central Standard Time, Mwoman1948@aol.com writes: > Old Christmas was celebrated,seem like it was Jan.6th,does any one else know > the date and/or significance of the custom? I believe it was supposed to be the date of the arrival of the three Wise Men. I live in the South, where all traces of Christmas traditionally must be packed away before New Year's Day (though I can see that changing). However, I lived 5 years north of the Mason-Dixon Line and was astonished to see Christmas trees and decorations left up for weeks after Christmas, sometimes even months! ==== SCSPARTA Mailing List ==== Newcomers: Please introduce yourself to the list and tell us about your Spartanburg County interests. ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Could it be "Old Christmas" has something to do with the 12 days of Christmas. The 12 days actually begin on Christmas Day. I too grew up in the South. We always put our Christmas tree up a couple of weeks before Christmas and never took it down until New Year's Day. I follow the same custom today. Seems like folks around here are putting them up earlier & earlier every year, many before Thanksgiving, and I blame that partly on the retailers who begin putting out Christmas decorations before Halloween. A few years ago our town began having their Christmas parade before Thanksgiving. This year ourstores had Valentine Day gifts along side Christmas decorations, and many already have bathing suits for sale. Like the seasons, I prefer one holiday at a time, and sure would like to see Christmas decommercialized. We wish you peace in the New Year, Judy ----- Original Message ----- From: <TennCookie@aol.com> To: <SCSPARTA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 5:41 PM Subject: Re: [SCSPARTA] Christmas Memories > In a message dated 12/27/2002 2:19:50 PM Central Standard Time, > Mwoman1948@aol.com writes: > > > > Old Christmas was celebrated,seem like it was Jan.6th,does any one else know > > the date and/or significance of the custom? > > I believe it was supposed to be the date of the arrival of the three Wise > Men. I live in the South, where all traces of Christmas traditionally must > be packed away before New Year's Day (though I can see that changing). > However, I lived 5 years north of the Mason-Dixon Line and was astonished to > see Christmas trees and decorations left up for weeks after Christmas, > sometimes even months! > > > ==== SCSPARTA Mailing List ==== > Newcomers: Please introduce yourself to the list and tell us about your Spartanburg County interests. > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >