When do you put your Christmas tree up?

[BrandiDup]

I've officially lost my mind. Its November 5th and our tree went up last night I love the holiday season and being here in San Diego, CA kinda makes it feel not very much like the holidays. So, we've got the tree up just for the ambiance of the lights. I like to use the excuse that it's relaxing so it helps me work better

Traditionally, we put it up on Thanksgiving, but I'm feeling a little over the top this year I've always done real trees but we have an artificial one this year so it can't dry out and catch on fire.

[no mods]

Wow haha thought I was a christmas nut. Usually we do our sometime in December.

[deezelpope]

OMG, no mods, you read my mind! I've a poll up on my board about when the Christmas skin should go up, cuz I want it up NOW!!

Our tree usually goes up right after Thanksgiving...might be a tad earlier this year! I'm really excited for Christmas this year for some reason!

[Dean C]

10th-15th December normally. I agree that it's nice having it up, but christmas comes too early each year as it is!

[rpainter]

I absolutely refuse to do anything Christmas related until AFTER Thanksgiving.

It seems that the entire world gets so wrapped up in the commercial side of Christmas, and forgets what it is really supposed to be about.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. But, if I had to choose, Thanksgiving would be my favorite holiday...hands down. Thanksgiving is about spending time with family and friends. No one "expects" presents. It is just a time to give thanks for everything you have.

Christmas has gotten to the point where if you don't get a 2nd (or 3rd) mortgage on your house to buy your kid all the CRAP that they will play with for a week, then you are not a good parent. We buy or child 2 or 3 things, and try to teach her what Christmas is REALLY about.

Sorry for the post...getting off my soapbox now.

[Dean C]

Completely agree with you rpainter. I'm not religious whatsoever, but I see christmas as an opportunity to make an effort to spend time with friends and family The whole concepts of gifts annoys me, but unfortunately in the society we live in it's almost an obligation!

[rpainter]

Originally Posted by Dean C

...but unfortunately in the society we live in it's almost an obligation!

And that is the sad truth. When you feel obligated to give it, is it truly a "gift"?

[Wayne Luke]

When I was growing up it never went up before my birthday (December 14th) because my mother didn't want my birthday to be drowned out by Christmas. Now it goes up sometime around Thanksgiving.

My kids are allowed to ask for one thing for Yule. They usually get that one thing and a few smaller gifts. They each pick out 5 gifts that are donated to charity every year.

[BrandiDup]

I actually love the family side of things much more than the presents and commercial side also. I do think that the tree is nostalgic and symbolic of our family time though. We don't do much in the way of gifts normally, but I love to cook big meals and have big get togethers around this time of year, and it seems very cozy and in the spirit of the holidays to have the tree up.

Then again, maybe I'm just sad that we'll have absolutely no family around this year, and having the tree up sort of brings back memories of being close to family during this time. My husband's military service has moved us about 2,200 miles from our closest family

[deezelpope]

Originally Posted by rpainter

I absolutely refuse to do anything Christmas related until AFTER Thanksgiving.

It seems that the entire world gets so wrapped up in the commercial side of Christmas, and forgets what it is really supposed to be about.

Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. But, if I had to choose, Thanksgiving would be my favorite holiday...hands down. Thanksgiving is about spending time with family and friends. No one "expects" presents. It is just a time to give thanks for everything you have.

Christmas has gotten to the point where if you don't get a 2nd (or 3rd) mortgage on your house to buy your kid all the CRAP that they will play with for a week, then you are not a good parent. We buy or child 2 or 3 things, and try to teach her what Christmas is REALLY about.

Sorry for the post...getting off my soapbox now.

Originally Posted by Dean C

Completely agree with you rpainter. I'm not religious whatsoever, but I see christmas as an opportunity to make an effort to spend time with friends and family The whole concepts of gifts annoys me, but unfortunately in the society we live in it's almost an obligation!

Originally Posted by rpainter

And that is the sad truth. When you feel obligated to give it, is it truly a "gift"?

I totally agree with BOTH of you! UGH! The commercialism ticks me off!

The only gift I ask for is to see my kids who live 6 hours from us...and our gifts to them this year will be hand-made fleece knot blankets I'm making myself. Not only are they getting blankets, but so is everyone else on our list. Next year, I want to make cookies to give as gifts.