As much as I love celebrating Christmas by decorating and unwrapping presents around my family tree, the dreaded holiday task of taking down the Christmas tree is one that should only be done before the turn of the new year. 

Yes, the work put into perfecting stringing the lights, selecting nostalgic ornaments and watching presents fill under the limbs of the tree is tedious and sentimental. However, when the presents are all gone, the dreaded cousins, in-laws and sometimes immediate family have left and holiday traditions have subsided, the tree in the living room must come down.

What is the rush? Stepping into the new year with a clean home and last year’s holiday remnants in the attic is the most effective start to the year. With New Year’s resolutions like fitness plans, organizational dreams and health goals in mind, it is best to limit distractions that might inhibit those goals. 

Let’s be honest, as beautiful as the tree is, the longer it sits in your living space, the more anxious you get to take it down. The thought of stripping it of its ornaments, unraveling the lights and knowing you’ll have to rally your siblings to carry the heavy box to the attic is daunting. We all know that after Dec. 26 the thought of taking the tree down is at the forefront of our minds. So just do it. 

Call me a Scrooge, but the tree comes down as Christmas comes to a wrap and resolutions begin to stir.