In my childhood home, the Christmas tree and all of its glorious decorations were also not put up until we children were in bed on Christmas Eve. Ditto for the train garden, which became more and more elaborate over the years.
Turning 12 signaled my time to be allowed to stay up on Christmas Eve and help decorate the tree. I was so excited to be able to participate in such a grown-up activity with my parents and older siblings. What a letdown it was to get up the next morning and see the tree that I had already seen before going to bed.
We, too, celebrated Christmas through Epiphany.
When my children were small, I initially did the tree the same was, but, as they got older, we put the tree up a little before Christmas, and they helped. They are all adults now, and some have their own children.
I have maintained the practice of waiting until Epiphany to take everything down. It’s always a little sad.
My children always thought we were a little crazy to keep our Christmas tree up until the Epiphany. Until it was all explained to them!
There's always something fun to do! Just remember 95% of these devotions are optional, not mandatory. If it works for you, have at it - if not, don't worry about it.
I do love chalking the door and reciting the Epiphany prayers. We also move the Three Kings over to the creche from the opposite book case, a little bit every day. They finally arrive on Epiphany.