Living in a household of four adults, opinions vary on seemingly every topic discussed. This is especially so when it comes to when to put up the Christmas tree and when to take it down.

If it were up to my wife, we would have had the tree up the weekend after Halloween and we would let it stay up until after New Years.

If it were up to our daughter and her fiancé, we would wait until the weekend after Thanksgiving.

As for me, I wanted to wait until my son was visiting for my birthday, which is the second weekend in December. Yeah, that’s probably a little too late.

What’s interesting is that in bygone, less holiday-crazed days, people used to wait to decorate their Christmas trees until Christmas Eve. As this is when the Christmas season truly begins. They would leave the tree up through the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6., a date which marks the visit of the Wise Men to baby Jesus and the end of the Christmas season.

However, as time has gone by, families become more and more excited to get the Christmas season going in their households. Lights are being strung around the house earlier and earlier. Some even leave them up all year and just turn them on during the Christmas season.

But when it comes to trees, a real, fresh-cut tree can last up to four weeks. Some can last longer if cared for properly. But fake trees, bought from Walmart with their own pine tree scent can last literally forever. Well, as long as the dog or cat doesn’t find it to be that new fun toy in the house when everyone is gone to work.

So I would guess that putting up the tree on, or just after, Thanksgiving would be completely fine. But if you put it up in mid-November, more power to you!

Taking it down may be another hitch all together. There are some superstitions that say taking your tree down after the 5^th or 6^th of January brings bad luck over the coming year. Others suggest that trees should be taken down on the 5^th of January as this day is traditionally considered the twelfth day of Christmas, or the last of twelve days of Christmas merriment.

This is the season for family, giving and sharing. If you have a family tradition that brings your family together over the time span of a week, then just do it.

If you want to enjoy the season beginning Nov. 1 and ending on Jan. 2, then just do it.

Our tree went up on Thanksgiving night. It’s a fake tree we bought from Lowe’s a few years back with lights already on it, and is one of the few items we were able to save from the flooding. We spent the evening in our temporary apartment, decorating it with ornaments and watched Christmas shows on TV.

We all have much to be thankful for this holiday season, so I say just do what makes your happy and share it with as many people as you can.

Here’s to a very safe and happy holiday season to all.