It depends...when I lived in Que. City region, we always left the Xmas lights up for the Que. Winter Carnival which takes place in the middle of  Feb.  after it was over we always took them down. Now  living in Ontario.. I defitately like to take them down right after New Years.  I really dislike seeing Xmas lights up on a house (even if they are not lit) all year long.  Seeing lights hanging from the roof on a hot July evening... the word "lazy" comes to mind !

if the lights are small and you don t notice them much , leave them up

I totally agree. I hope my neighbours read this!

I'd love to see the lights up until atleast March (the dreary winter months). It seems so much more cheerful when you drive back home and it's still dark to see the sparkle of lights.

sure, and while we are at it we should ask if its ok to leave your haloween decorations out all year? maybe we should just leave that gaudy junk on our lawns all year too. we could put poor rudolph right next to a plastic grinning deaths head. we could blend the holidays together and call it 'christaween'. sound good?

leaving your lights out is annoying and inconsiderate. much like a windchime. it diminishes the novelty of the holiday and its really really lazy.

No way!  Must be down by March.

Unless you are a University student and your holidays lights actually provide your home with some mood lighting or lighting to study by!

Small white lights in shrubbery or trees are not noticible once the leaves come out in the spring....so I leave them up.

Christmas lights are a bit of a wasteful indulgence to begin with.  Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful to look at (when done tastefully).  Now, there are all kinds of options like solar powered and led christmas lights becoming available, which still look great and save power.  But don't leave them out too long.  They look dumb after about February.

Take them down. I agree with Linda, your just lazy if you leave them up!!

Leaving Christmas lights up yearly can be hazardous since SQUIRRELS will sometimes chew on the electric cord or wire exposing bare wires.

I happen to love wind chimes....seniors sometimes can't take the lights down every year so if the lights are small, leave them. Personal choice comes to mind here. Neighbors-MYOB

I agree that not taking them down is just plain lazy. My neighbor's icicle lights were broken and dangling from her roof until the end of summer! Not only does it make her townhouse look cheap, it makes my house look cheap as it attached.  In addition, Christmas lights should not be lit until Advent (Nov. 30, 2008).

First of all they are called Christmas lights, and there is no X in Christmas...They should go up for the holiday season called Christmas and should be taken down shortly thereafter...Garden lighting is completely different so don't be so lazy as to leave your Christmas lights up all year...I'm sure your neighbours will appreciate your effort in keeping the 'hood' desireable!! Merry Christmas....now back to the tree...

As soon as the weather makes it safe to get back on ladder - get those babies down!!!!

No I don't think its okay to keep your Christmas lights up all year round. Its a sign of laziness. Plus the lights fade over time  when they are turned on during christmas they look horrible.

paula

There is no excuse.  I think it looks pretty tacky when lights are left up all year round (no matter what size they are).  I also think it's pure laziness on the part of the home owner to leave them up all year.  When we take our lights down each year, it's usually the 1st good (I mean not too cold or no snow/rain storms) weekend after Xmas & that's when I start to do the count down to "tulips".  It's something to look forward to.

Christmas is a special time of the year.  It's wonderful to see the lights during the season, but what is special about leaving the lights dangling all year.  Neighbours, if you live next to a senior that can't get them down fast enough to suit you, why not help them out.  In the spirit of Christmas.

Very tacky. Especially the icicle lights which only look good when lit at night. I see many houses where they are left on all year and by summer are falling off and they still don't take them down.

Of course not they can get damaged and cause a fire, they are not build up to leave them out a whole year.

Leaving the lights up is just so tacky!  I absolutely hate driving/walking around the neighbourhood in the spring and summer and still finding houses with their lights up.  I second some of the other comments -- they are called "Christmas lights" for a reason.  

Tacky Tacky Tacky...take them down!

I agree with Kathy, TACKY TACKY TACKY....take them down!

Our Christmas lights stayed up last year for the first time in 18 years. My husband has scarcoidosis and has sufferd permanent lung damage. He is unable to do the things he used to do. I took down all the lights around the windows and off the trees, but the strand around the top of the house stayed up. Our house is set quite far back from the road and we are surrouned by big trees so it wasn't too bad. I still don't like it, though. Maybe this year I will be brave enough to get up on the big long ladder myself!

We put rope lights up under eves, so leave them up all year they are not noticeable and can use for various other events..but do wish people would remove lights..Happy Holidays

At Christmas I enjoy seeing homes decorated, but after the New Year they should come down.  In our front yard we only decorate the trees and shrubs.  Now in our back yard ....that is a different story.  I keep our fruit trees lite with clear bulbs all year long.  The neighbours used to roll their eyes and say Christmas was months ago.  We had a big party in the backyard and invited everyone in the neighbourhood.  They commented how beautiful it was to sit back there on a summer evening.  I have noticed a few have done it in their own yards now.  

PS We had a bumper crop of apples and pears this year!

I know that sometimes it's difficult & dangerous to try to climb up & get lights off the house but we should take them down as soon as possible.  Besides the aesthetics insects build cocoons in the base of the bulbs (which may be a fire hazard) and eventually they won't light up anyway.  Merry Christmas!

Betty, please try to find someone young and agile to get your lights down.  Take care.

ITS REALLY NOT A BIG DEAL ABOUT LEAVING LITES UP ALL YEAR ROUND. ITS ONLY ABIG DEAL IF YOU HAVE THEM ON ALL YEAR ROUND.SMALL LITES ARE NOT NOTICIABLE AND IT IS NOT LAZY ITS A MATTER OF HOW SAFE IT IS TO PUT THEM UP OR DOWN.ANYBODY CAN FALL AT ANY AGE.

The Christmas lights and decorations should come down after Jan. 6 as soon as weather permits.  Exceptions are something like the Quebec Winter Carnaval as it is part of the festivities - lights should stay on but Rudolf and Stanta should be removed.  I am also a senior and my husband is not able to help out anymore so I have decorated at ground level and on the balcony making it easy to remove.  My kids live too far away to help out.  If it is left on, it is no longer "special".  I like the idea of the lights in the fruit trees for summer parties though.

I agree with Gerry about it not being a big deal to leave the lights up all year. As a matter of fact, I think this world needs a little more color and a little more joy. If leaving the glowing lights up, makes someone feel a little bit of pleasure why cant we just let them be. People work hard for their little lots of land, if they want to dress them up so be it. What people do to their property is NOT a reflection on you!

Merry Christmas : )

Gerry, typing in caps is considered yelling, not very nice.  To the subject at hand.  I personally do not like the look of Christmas light on a home all year round (worse are the icicle lights).  We lived in a townhouse for years and my husband decorated our house and the neighbors house,  and took them down sometime in Jan.  In most cases the light that are left up are seen by all that pass by and is considered tacky.  If your neighbor lets his grass grow, where one feels they need to cut it, so that their house will remain clean and uncluttered, it's the same with Christmas lights.  Just my opinion.  

Our "HOLIDAY" lights are up all year as they are hidden under the molding on our home (which casts a really nice glow). Our lights are clear and we light them for every occasion and even just when we're having parties.

Happy Solstice to all

Hi! Good point, but I take a more ambivalent view. FIRST, I do NOT assume that by leaving them up that they will remain in use. That is why we have switches and timers.

If one wants to add colour at Easter, July 1 (Canada) or 4 (U.S.), etc., lights could add some sparkle. Choose your colours carefully!

Caution however - two negatives - ultra-violet rays and summer heat will break down the vinyl wire covering, and old bulbs at least are subject to losing their colours as the gelcoat that is used breaks down and washes off.

However, by no means leave them operating bewteen events you wish to celebrate.

At least that's the way I see it.

Merry Christmas!

What a wonderful forum for opinions!

I believe the lights are there to celebrate an occasion (Christmas lights!), and other types of lights are to celebrate other occasions (garden, Hannakah, birthday candles).  C'mon people - use some common sense!  If you can't do it yourself, can't hire someone, those that can - should do the neighbourly-thing (and you know who isn't able to take down their own lights!), and help.  I agree that lights, fitted to the occasion/situation are beautiful.  I love rope lights around my deck all year-round, and wish I could get some up high around Christmas time.

Take Christmas lights Down when the season's over!

I say take them down.  It's much more special then when you put them up for Christmas the next year.  Besides the hot summer sun fades the color of the bulbs and then you have to replace them more often.

Leave those lights up.  I had pretty white stars hanging over a window.  We put them on during summer evenings to light up the front door the house for security reasons.  Kinda like patio latterns.  Everyone commented on how romantic it looked.

I agree, Christmas lights must come down after Jan. 6th. even more annoying are people who leave their evergreen wreaths up until Easter! Please take them down at least by February, a brown decaying wreath is not a pretty sight.

I feel the odd tree in the house or in the yard that is lit with  tiny white lights, gives off a soft light that looks kind of magical during the year .This offers an option to the conventional lighting we see in the house or outside. If the lights are coloured or numerous, then I feel they are for Christmas alone and should be removed after the holiday season is over.

I don't mind the lights after Christmas. Take down the Santa Claus and reindeer of course, but a little sparkle and light  in January could beat the winter blues. It gets dark so quick in the winter. I would have them down by February though.

I like to have white lights in my trees in the summertime, and I like windchimes in my garden too!

I like the small lights in the trees and garden for special effect, especially when they shine through the snow. Christmas lights should come down though in January. Ask for help from neighbours. They will appreciate it when you're helping to keep a tidy appearance. Check the condition of lights before using, for damaged wires or bulbs.

I believe in taking them down in January weather permitting.  In Canada we refer to them I believe as "Christmas" lights?  We don't call them "Holiday Tree's" do we.

So I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, not a "Happy Holiday", as a Canadian, I'm taking our Christmas back. :))

We have put up some 600 feet of lights at our country property around the eaves of the house and in various trees and yes we will be taking them down when the weather permits. We have well over a foot of snow. We turn the timers off after January 1. Next year we have planned a different colour scheme and even more lights. I also own a store and I am doing the window today but it will be coming down January 1 also.

Gotta go, my husband is off to Canadian Tire to get another 5 strands (125 feet)

Happy Christmas and Merry New Year !

While I’m not crazy about the use of Xmas as an abbreviation for Christmas, I do realize that it has some religious significance for some people.  Look up “Xmas” in Wikipedia for more information - an interesting read.

Secondly, typing in ALL CAPS does not always mean the person is yelling.  Sometimes it means the person is unfamiliar with a keyboard and/or has a dexterity problem which makes it difficult for them to type with more than one finger.  Typing with CAPS LOCK on ensures they do not offend by typing a word like “Christmas” with a small “c”.

People should be able to decide for themselves when to take down or turn off their Christmas lights.  Some believe Epiphany, January 6th, is the end of the Christmas season while others believe it to be February 12th, The Presentation of Christ.

Life is too short to spend time complaining about others.   Using those pretty white Christmas lights as backyard or entrance way lighting is a great idea. Leaving coloured lights up all year means you can turn them on for special occasions such as children’s birthdays or the homecoming of a family member.  Leaving a tasteful display of Christmas lights on all the time could just mean the person keeps Christmas in their heart all year long instead of just at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas to all.

I have to second Karen's comments.  Please, we were asked to voice our preferences about the act of removing lights, not to judge others actions and/or beliefs.  Wishing everyone peace, Merry Christmas.

Give your heads a shake, people!  Why don't you turn your thoughts to more important things?  The Christmas lights look awesome in the winter, especially around here, where there's snow.....and in our retirement community we just can't get up there in January to take them down - we're all mostly seniors.....they are so unobtrusive when they're not on - what's the big deal?  In the ice and snow, one of us could fall to their death or get broken bones.  Why not leave them up?  Good grief!  Tempest in a teapot.  There's weightier problems right now to worry about.  Merry Christmas.  

I leave my lights up and on year round for security reasons ... they are a blue-white ... the energy efficient ones and on a timer ... they are a soft glow and not as bright as using just a bright porch light ... lots of people have commented that they like them ... I had my vehicle stolen from my driveway in 1998 and the police suggested having the front of the house lit ... I feel safer with the lights on at night ...

If you wish to leave them up all year round --- it is okay.  However, it is very on hard the life-time of the lights and wiring and should be taken down to save your investment

I don't like to see Christmas lights up after the first couple of weeks in January, it's tacky to me, reminds me of one of the many descriptions of what could possibly make you a "redneck"

How do I POLITELY ask the neighbor to shut off their obnoxious Christmas lights? The huge house is surrounded with bright blue LED icicles. It's January 15th and they have been on since just after Halloween. No one else even sees them, there are no other houses up our creek. I don't want to be a jerk but every time I look out the window I swear it looks like the Queen Mary 2 is docking. ARGH!

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