When do you put up your Christmas tree? (rated, trees)

[starwalker]

I usually put one up soon after Thanksgiving but the first weekend in Dec it has to be up... my family used to take down New Years Day but I don't really pay much attention to that as a holiday (I call it calendar change day and my personal tradition is to spend the evening cleaning house, to make sure it is ready to start the new calendar, and I make sure I have a cabbage in the house.

Usually get it down sometime by mid-January.

Lights outside can stay up and lighted until the first of Feb in my book.

Presents (not many any more, but when there were little ones) go under tree as they are wrapped, except for one very special one per kid that shows up after they are in bed Christmas eve, usually larger somethings that were not wrapped (too big/awkward).

[moughie]

Originally Posted by chaosX5

Christmas has been hijacked by commercialism (IMHO)
Again, it's just my opinion but people shouldn't have guilt for keeping it simple. And it's great if you can let go of that guilt Simple is how Christmas used to be.

Well said! I wholeheartedly agree

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by starwalker

I usually put one up soon after Thanksgiving but the first weekend in Dec it has to be up... my family used to take down New Years Day but I don't really pay much attention to that as a holiday (I call it calendar change day and my personal tradition is to spend the evening cleaning house, to make sure it is ready to start the new calendar, and I make sure I have a cabbage in the house.

Usually get it down sometime by mid-January.

Lights outside can stay up and lighted until the first of Feb in my book.

Presents (not many any more, but when there were little ones) go under tree as they are wrapped, except for one very special one per kid that shows up after they are in bed Christmas eve, usually larger somethings that were not wrapped (too big/awkward).

That sounds like my time growing up. Especially the one big present. Only we didn't put lights outside, only in the windows and the tree.

[jenkaye]

We just put up our tree and I couldn't wait! We wanted a real one this year in our new house and my MIL was giving up her beautiful 7 1/2 foot fake tree so I thought why not and we fluffed it and decorated it and it's really nice. I miss the smell of a real Christmas tree so I need to get a wreath or something to give us that smell of Christmas. We are so desperate here in AZ I thought about buying some spray that smelled like pine and spritzing the fake tree. Christmas trees really get you in the holiday spirit

[moughie]

Originally Posted by jenkaye

We just put up our tree and I couldn't wait! We wanted a real one this year in our new house and my MIL was giving up her beautiful 7 1/2 foot fake tree so I thought why not and we fluffed it and decorated it and it's really nice. I miss the smell of a real Christmas tree so I need to get a wreath or something to give us that smell of Christmas. We are so desperate here in AZ I thought about buying some spray that smelled like pine and spritzing the fake tree. Christmas trees really get you in the holiday spirit

Hey neighbor!

Check out Trader Joe's for mini Christmas trees in pots for $3.00 and up!
If you rub them, you can really smell the pine!

Happy holidays

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by AustinB

My Festivus Pole is almost polished up enough to put in place.

Crap.... too late to edit....

[Zymer]

Sometimes ours doesn't go up until Xmas eve...sometimes choice, sometimes not. One year we were so broke that it was Xmas eve before I managed to scrape up enough cash to maybe get a little one. We went to a couple of places but couldn't afford anything they had. Went to another place and found a little, scraggly 3-foot Charlie Brown tree. We must have looked pretty pitiful, the guy gave it to us for nothing.

I haven't seen any on my property that look good enough for cutting, I guess I'll have to plant some.

Commercialism- yep, I'm tired of it to. I hate hearing the phrase "...have to buy for..."

Taking the tree down- LOL, procrastinator extraordinaire here. There has been a time or two when it hasn't gone out the door until March, leaving masses of brown needles all the way to the door.

[Elcarim]

Originally Posted by moughie

Hey neighbor!

Check out Trader Joe's for mini Christmas trees in pots for $3.00 and up!
If you rub them, you can really smell the pine!

Happy holidays

So, is that like scratch-n-sniff trees?

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

So, is that like scratch-n-sniff trees?

I like that!!

[lovemaine]

We finally put our tree up last night, about a week later than most years. We wanted to get a real tree this year, but since we're saving for our Maine trip and also for our move, we decided to go with our old fake tree again. (After much fluffing, it doesn't look too bad...) We really haven't been up to decorating anyway. Both my older daughter and I are getting over pneumonia, and my little one has a cold now. It hasn't been fun in the "lovemaine" household! Things are looking up though, and we're finally getting the holiday spirit. Yayyy!!! (It really is true: When you have good health, you have everything!)