It's mid-January, and I still have my Christmas tree twinkling away in my living room. It's a fake tree, so I don't have to worry about it being a fire hazard, however, I'm starting to think it's time for the thing to come down. Not because I'm sick of looking at it -- it's silver and twinkly and pretty adorable -- but I don't want to overdo it, either. Nobody wants to see icicle lights on Memorial Day.

In general, I'm not the best follower of rules, and yet I am curious what the "rules" are for taking down holiday decorations.  I asked a few friends this week, and it turns out, people have pretty adamant opinions. One friend said Jan. 2 is ideal. Another said by Epiphany (Jan. 6) and another friend insisted anytime in the month of January is cool.

I think I'll take down the tree this weekend, but keep the blinking stars strung across my porch roof for another week or two. I just don't want to be like the house with the ice-filled plastic baby pool still in the front yard in February.