# How long do you keep an offering? **URL:** \ **Category:** Q&A\ **Tags:** deities\ **Created:** [September 26, 2021, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408 "2021-09-26T01:44:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jennifer59](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/jennifer59/32/13718_2.png) [@jennifer59](https://forum.spells8.com/u/jennifer59)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/1 "2021-09-26T01:44:24Z")
I have a question in regards to offerings. When you make a offering to a Deity, how long do you keep that offering on the altar? Especially a perishable one. I have read several things as far as making offerings but not one of those readings said how long the offerings need to stay for. ---
**Author:** ![Kasandra](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/kasandra/32/50982_2.png) [@Kasandra](https://forum.spells8.com/u/Kasandra)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 2:14am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/2 "2021-09-26T02:14:42Z")
I usually leave my offerings on my altar overnight and dispose of them in the morning. But if it’s an esbat or sabbat, I’ll leave them there for three days. If you’re leaving a perishable offering, milk for example, I would probably leave it out for only an hour, or before it gets warm. ---
**Author:** ![christina4](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/christina4/32/2868_2.png) [@christina4](https://forum.spells8.com/u/christina4)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 8:36am UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/3 "2021-09-26T08:36:18Z")
I’m with @Kasandra I only leave my offerings out over night. ---
**Author:** ![jennifer59](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/jennifer59/32/13718_2.png) [@jennifer59](https://forum.spells8.com/u/jennifer59)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 2:46pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/4 "2021-09-26T14:46:37Z")
Thank you so much for the advice! I just wanted to make sure when I do offer offerings that they’re there for the timeframe that would be respectful. ---
**Author:** ![jennifer59](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/jennifer59/32/13718_2.png) [@jennifer59](https://forum.spells8.com/u/jennifer59)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/5 "2021-09-26T14:47:02Z")
Thank you for the guidance! I really appreciate it 😁 ---
**Author:** ![MeganB](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/meganb/32/42726_2.png) [@MeganB](https://forum.spells8.com/u/MeganB)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/6 "2021-09-26T17:52:05Z")
In my practice, a general rule of thumb is overnight and I try not to let anything spoil on the altar. However, my main piece of advice would be to ask the deity or spirit you’re giving the offering to. Some deities prefer when their offerings spoil. Others only want them when they’re fresh. And then some deities really don’t care 🤷🏼‍♀️ ---
**Author:** ![jennifer59](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/jennifer59/32/13718_2.png) [@jennifer59](https://forum.spells8.com/u/jennifer59)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/7 "2021-09-26T21:25:04Z")
Thank you so much for the advice! all these answers have been extremely helpful and I truly appreciate everyone of you 💗💗 ---
**Author:** ![MeganB](https://spells8.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.spells8.com/meganb/32/42726_2.png) [@MeganB](https://forum.spells8.com/u/MeganB)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2021, 2:56pm UTC](https://forum.spells8.com/t/how-long-do-you-keep-an-offering/14408/8 "2021-09-27T14:56:33Z")
You’re very welcome 🥳