Keep Christmas alive: Joyful ways to end the season

As the glow of Christmas fades and the New Year begins, many families face the bittersweet task of packing away decorations and saying goodbye to the holiday season. Yet, this period doesn’t have to feel like the end of joy. With intentionality, the transition from Christmas can become an uplifting tradition of its own, filled with hope and gratitude.

In many cultures (and in the Church), Christmas doesn’t end on December 25 — it’s the beginning of a larger season that culminates in the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6) or even the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas (February 2). In most Latin American countries decorations often remain until Candlemas, when families celebrate the official end of the Christmas season with a final festive meal and the blessing of candles.

Consider embracing this longer timeline, keeping your Nativity scene or tree up until one of these feasts. Doing so serves as a reminder that the joy of Christ’s birth isn’t confined to a single day but radiates into the New Year.

Transform the process of taking down decorations into a meaningful family activity. Set aside a special evening to pack away ornaments and lights with care, thinking on the memories tied to each piece. Play your favorite Christmas music one last time or enjoy a cup of hot cocoa as you work together.

For those who use a live Christmas tree, turning it into mulch or compost for the garden can add a symbolic layer: the tree that brought light and beauty indoors during winter now gives life and nourishment outdoors.

Mark the end of Christmas with a prayer or blessing for the New Year. Gather as a family to light candles, thank God for the blessings of the season, and offer prayers for the months ahead. This simple act can serve as a spiritual “bridge” between the holiday and ordinary time, reminding everyone that the light of Christ goes with them into their daily lives.

Many families find it meaningful to replace Christmas decorations with symbols of the New Year. This might include displaying a winter wreath, lighting candles during the evenings, or placing a small calendar or Scripture verse on the table to inspire hope. These simple gestures help ease the transition while keeping the spirit of celebration alive.

The end of Christmas doesn’t mean the end of its spirit. Take the joy and generosity of the season into the weeks and months ahead by volunteering, donating to charity, or visiting loved ones. This can be particularly poignant in January, a month when many feel the post-holiday blues.

Consider choosing a theme for the New Year inspired by the virtues of Christmas, such as gratitude, kindness, or patience, and focus on ways to live it out in your community.

The key to a joyful transition out of the Christmas season is to view it not as an end but as a beginning. In the Church’s liturgical calendar, Christmas points us forward to the rest of Christ’s life, from His baptism to His ministry, death, and resurrection. Similarly, our celebrations of Christmas can launch us into the New Year with renewed hope and purpose.

As you pack away the ornaments and turn off the twinkle lights for another year, remember that the true light of Christmas—the love of Christ—never dims. By finding ways to carry that light forward, you ensure that the joy and hope of the season remain alive in your heart and home all year long.