Sadly, the time has come to take down (most of) the Christmas decorations – including this kissing bough, made for the Markeaton event, at the end of November (pictured here, before installation outside – to keep fresh for bringing in again on Christmas Eve).

Although this decoration has now shrivelled due to central heating, other greenery in cooler places has remained remarkably fresh right up until today – the last day of Christmas. Whether this was considered to fall on Jan 5 or 6 varied, in different places, and at different time. But it seems that in the late Georgian and early Victorian times, many – including at least some in Derby – considered the Twelfth Day to fall on the latter.

While Twelfth Day was in many places the traditional time for decoration-removal, some held parties on (or around) this night (finishing the season with a large fruit cake, and games, as discussed in the Interactive Guide!). It’s possible that decorations were retained until after these celebrations; and, in any case, some – including in Derbyshire in the 1700s and early 1800s – (still) kept up decorations until Candlemas: 2 February (the beginning of spring).