By Vladimir Brezina
Yes, we’re late, as usual.
According to Wikipedia,
Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are associated with specific dates. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve (24 December) or, in the traditions celebrating Christmas Eve rather than the first day of Christmas, 23 December, and then removed the day after Twelfth Night (5 January); to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck.
We did manage to get our Christmas tree decorated in time for Christmas, albeit at the last possible moment. However, we missed the 6th January date for taking it down—but only by a few days, so we hope the bad luck will let us off this year with just a warning. We lit the tree for the last time a couple of days ago—
Click on any photo to start slideshow:
Vladimir Brezina (RIP) 
Johna Till Johnson
Wind Against Current 
Beautiful in tree images! I’ve been trying for more years than I care to count, but you’re really raised the bar here! and the candles…. Nice. Have a good 2016. M :-)
LikeLike
Thank you! And yes, I think Vlad really did well with the photos–like you, he keeps working at it, and this year it seemed to have paid off. Best wishes to you as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’ve been trying for a number of years, too (here are my efforts in 2011, 2012, and 2014), and I find it difficult too. It’s a similar difficulty as with photographing foliage in the park: the whole tree makes a very enticing photo, but then when zooming in on individual branches and leaves, that something is very often lost…
But I do think I am improving :-)
Except that many of these photos have excessive digital noise. It was pretty dark with only the candlelight. The eye adjusts for the relative darkness automatically, but the camera does not…
LikeLiked by 1 person
ours is still up, so you’ll have better luck than we will in 2016. :-)
LikeLike
:-) I don’t think luck works QUITE that way… but here’s hoping we ALL have wonderful luck (and peace, health, and prosperity) in 2016!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful tree! Sadly we took the ornaments off last weekend because we will be away in Hawaii for the next 10 days.Happy tree number 2( that’s how we called our most recent one) was still very green and beautiful. However, it is our second year bringing the tree to Propect Park for recycling so outs went to tree heaven for a good cause!!! To both of you we wish you a happy and healthy 2016. Looking fwd to spend quality time with both of yo after we gone back from our vacation. Besos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have a wonderful vacation guys! Vlad has never been to Hawaii—I look forward to his first visit. And yes, we will catch up upon your return. Hugs and warm wishes to you both!
LikeLike
You’ve got some beautiful ornaments! And…real candles? Hoo weeeeee, you are much more brave than I will ever be. We put our tree up way early and took it down this past weekend so it seems that bad luck will get me both coming and going. Thankfully I have a horseshoe over my door to help me out in such situations. LOL .
LikeLiked by 1 person
So here’s the trick with live candles: You get a candle snuffer. And a fire extinguisher. And a big pitcher of water. And you don’t leave the room while the candles are burning. All that said, we’ve never had even a near-miss… but there’s always a first time. (The snuffer is fun when it comes to putting them out).
Here’s hoping your horseshoe brings you much luck in 2016!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Got to have real candles! They add much more than just a soft light: the heat releases the tree’s fragrance, and the rising air moves the tinsel and even the ornaments, so that the entire tree seems to shimmer subtly…
We do have electric lights on the tree as well, turned on the rest of the time or, for maximal effect, together with the candles :-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a magnificent tree!! I never had real candles, but I see the point and can almost smell the tree when I think about it now …
LikeLike
Try it next time and you’ll see! Thanks, Dina!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do, most definitely! :-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous tree and photos!
LikeLike
Thanks so much! :-)
LikeLike
Lovely!
LikeLike
Thanks, Naomi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your Christmas tree, adorned with so many lovely ornaments, was beautifully shown off in these photos. You have captured the spirit of the season – all of them give a warm and peaceful glow.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Marilyn! Only happy memories now… :-)
LikeLike