Keeping up Christmas decorations could fight lockdown blues

It may be the last day of Christmas, but this year experts are encouraging people to keep their lights up until February to lift the nation's spirits amid surging Covid-19 cases.

English Heritage want people to take a leaf out of history’s book and leave their decorations up until Candlemas on February 2, just like our medieval ancestors.

Lesley from Aylesbury is one of those keeping her lights up:

"Of course people can put away reindeers and snowmen, but maybe keep a small display up.

"January is a gloomy month at the moment, so we thought it could bring a bit of cheerfulness as people are driving around.

"Or a little bit of light if you're jogging around and of course children love lights, so it's great for them."

What is Candlemas?

The Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, otherwise known as Candlemas, marked the official end of Christmas in medieval England.

Every year on February 2, people enjoyed big feasts and blessed candles to be used in the church.

The traditions of Candlemas have not been completely forgotten, with some churches today displaying Christmas cribs until February 2.

But now historians hope it might make a bigger resurgence.

Despite popular belief that Christmas ends on January 6, historian Michael Carter argues it continues until Candlemas, meaning "there's no real reason why you should take your decorations down earlier."

As a long winter looms and we enter yet another lockdown, maybe maintaining some festive cheer is exactly what we need!

If you are still in the festive mood, take our ultimate Christmas quiz below:

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• Christmas
• english heritage