Did you know there are laws detailing what you can and can’t do during Christmas? Christmas has long been a point of contention since the early colony days. In 1659, the Puritan government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony actually outlawed Christmas. Here are 8 bizarre rules that are actually law.
1. Grace Period for Paying a Debt
In Louisiana, you can hold onto the money you owe a day longer. Louisiana adopted a law in 1837 that made Christmas Day a grace period for bill paying. Debt collectors are not allowed to collect debts on December 25th. Instead they have to wait until December 26th and lose a day of interest.
2. Christmas Bonus Law
Did you know that some countries require employers to give employees a Christmas bonus? In Mexico, “Aguinaldo” is a Christmas bonus that employers are required to pay. Bonuses must be paid by December 20th or the employer could face heavy fines. The same is true in Costa Rica.
3. Ban on Natural Trees
In New York City, there is a law that bans retail stores from displaying non-artificial trees. Of course, if not cared for properly real trees can quickly become a fire hazard. If you live in a high-rise in Philadelphia, forget the real tree as well. Residents in high-rises can only use artificial trees. According to the National Fire Research Laboratory, US firefighters respond to roughly 200 Christmas tree fires per year.
4. Ban on Candy Canes
In Nebraska in 2018, an elementary school principal banned candy canes in the school because “historically, the shape is a ‘J’ for Jesus. This of course is largely myth. The principal also banned Christmas-specific decor or activities, including Christmas carols and music, reindeer, Elf on the Shelf, and red and green items, but it allowed for non-Christmas winter imagery such as yetis, penguins and snowflakes. The principal was soon after put on leave.
5. No Crosses on Trees
Indiana has a bizarre Christmas Law about your Christmas tree toppers. In 2016 in Knightstown, Indiana, it became illegal to have a cross on top of a Christmas tree in a public display. It all started when a resident filed a lawsuit, picked up by the ACLU, that a Christmas tree in the town square with a cross on top violated his civil liberties. The town conceded, took down the cross, and created the ban.
6. Better Have a Receipt
If you plan on getting a real Christmas tree in Michigan, hold onto the receipt. A Michigan law outlaws cutting down trees for Christmas. Unless you have a permit and cut your tree down in a permitted forest. According to the Forest Service, this measure contributes to overall forest health.
7. Take Down Your Christmas Lights
Do you like to keep your Christmas lights up year-round? Not so fast! Many states have laws and regulations about how long you can keep up your Christmas lights. So no being lazy if you don’t want a fine. In Maine, fines may be levied any time after January 15.
8. Laws Against “Light Trespass”
How does a light trespass, you ask? Well, in New Jersey your Christmas lights can be guilty of “trespass” under “light trespass” laws, which prohibit such things as “misdirected” or “excessive” artificial light caused by “inappropriate” or “misaligned” lights that produce “unnecessary” glowing. So if you plan on creating an extravagant light display, think again. Many towns create ordinances to help settle disputes among neighbors like lights have to be turned off by 10 pm.
Waging War on Christmas?
While these Christmas laws may seem bizarre, they are in fact true. Many people refer to laws like this as waging war on Christmas. Others see the value in reducing fire hazards and saving our forests. Some we are very used to like no alcohol sales on Christmas Day. What Christmas laws are there in your state or town?