I HAVE OFTEN WONDERED if leaving outdoor Christmas decorations outside until spring is a cold weather state phenomenon.
A snippet of the Christmas decorations on the Butler property.
On a brief drive through Medford, Minnesota, Sunday afternoon on my way to a Chili Cook-off at Trinity Lutheran Church, I spotted a corner yard decorated as if Christmas, rather than Valentine’s Day, was only six days away.
The homemade decorations are my favorite.
Candy canes, penguins, mice, reindeer, elves, tipsy angels, carolers and more staked out spots in the snow.
Decorations are both secular and religious.
The scene appeared chaotic with no cohesive theme. But who cares? I’m sure Garrett Butler takes great pleasure in sharing his Christmas love, as he’s done these displays for some 30 years. And I expect the people of Medford thoroughly enjoy his holiday lawn ornament collection.
My favorite decoration in the Butler yard.
But back to my original thought. Is it common in your part of the country for folks to leave Christmas holiday decorations in place until spring?
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I’m in very-most-upstate New York–a cold weather spot, for sure– and we don’t see much of this at all. People leave their lights up but not the other decorations. Still, this guy obviously goes to a lot of work–if I were him, I’d leave the decorations up, too!
Yes, this is a lot of work. And, unless there’s a warm spell, pulling all of those decorations up anytime before May 1 would prove a cold job.
At about 1:00 in this video, you’ll get your answer for us Southern “Redneck Women.” Hee Haw!
Hee Haw! Thanks for the morning laugh.
Readers, you MUST check out this video.
It must be that it is too chilly to tear it all down; however, we have had some unseasonably warm days post Christmas holiday.
This is likely what he does every year, I would guess. Leave the decorations up until the weather really warms.
I noticed that many around here are still in view but I think it depends more on how “frozen in” they are. Many disappeared during a recent warm spell which gave rise to that thought!
Now that’s a likely scenario.
In our neighborhood the decorations are taken down promptly in January—no lingering, no hesitation at all. They disappear and are tucked away until next year. I still have a few snowmen out inside my house but they are more winter themed than Christmas themed after all. But time to put those away as well. Maybe spring will come once I put them away?
OK, everyone, Beth Ann would like you to stash away your snowmen.
🙂 I will go first!
So spring starts in Iowa, officially, today, in a certain neighborhood in Mason City.
If only it was that simple.
It is hit and miss around here. There is one thing worthy of note though. A gargoyle lives in the front yard of a home in Blooming Prairie and every holiday, its owner dresses it in festive attire.
Now that would be worth a trip to Blooming Prairie. Any hint as to where in Blooming Prairie this gargoyle might be seen?
Any other interesting places to visit (besides the antique shop along the highway with all the taxidermied birds) in BP? I need a day trip sometime soon.
Hmmmm, directions to the gargoyle… I believe it is on 3rd Street SE a few blocks west of Hwy 218 on the south side of the street. It’s pretty big, so if my directions are correct, you shouldn’t miss it.
Excellent. Thank you. Blooming Prairie isn’t that big, so I should be able to find a gargoyle of all things.
Seems like some “neighborhoods” in Rochester keep their lights up all winter, I love driving down those lit-up streets, it’s so pretty and festive 🙂
I like white lights in winter. Adds a certain warmth and fairy sparkle to the depth of winter.
Well, thank God that there are still people out there like the Butlers, who still rejoice in the spirit and meaning of Christmas and who have not fallen victim to the “political correctness” that has become so pervasive in this country.. I say “MERRY CHRISTMAS” to the Butler family..
Amen.
Yes, I even have neighbors who don’t take lights down in the spring.
I’ve seen them on houses all year round, too. Not visually appealing, in my opinion. But I also understand that putting lights up each year can be a time-consuming and difficult task.
Those decorations are gorgeous. Really cute. We take down our decorations around New Year’s Day as we can’t leave them out for too long because of the weather. Being the height of summer and living in a hot climate and having so many hours of sunshine, if we didn’t bring them in and pack them away, they would all fade and need to be replaced the following year! So our decisions are caused by our climate xx
That makes total sense that the sun and heat would destroy decorations if left outdoors. Winter can do that, too.
You are making me cold, Audrey! Nice to hear from you. I walked into my husband’s business yesterday, pulled pine Christmas wreath off the door and hurled it over into the dumpster all in one big farm-girl move. LOL I’m all for moving on, at least by mid February with the decorations. It’s almost spring:)
Best,
beckyredbarn.com
Love it: one big farm-girl move.
Really, it’s almost spring?
This year I had to wait until after New Year’s to take mine down as it was too cold and ugly outside. I have to agree with previous statement, as we can’t keep lights up outside all year round due to the hot summers. Some individuals have and they are totally faded from the heat. Still, some people leave theirs up!
No problem with heat here. But cold and wind and snow can wreak havoc, too.