Drive down any neighborhood in the U.S. a few days after Christmas, and you’re likely to see Christmas trees at the curb, ready to be picked up by the local garbage men. I’ve seen my share with tinsel or fake snow still on them. For many, Dec. 26 is the day to un-decorate, and remove Christmas from your home. Having been raised in Italy, where the season is celebrated until Jan. 6, this is a sad sight for me to see.

Jan. 6, which is exactly 12 days after Christmas, is when Italians and all Catholics celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. This is the real last day of the Christmas season. If we want to get technical, the Christmas season actually starts on Christmas Day, and lasts until the Epiphany. The days prior to Christmas are actually part of the advent.