We used to do the tree to decorate, as years go by the worse I feel doing this... It just does not sit well with me as hate to see greed even if it is innocent. I prefer to make a huge meal and feast and celebrate the symbolisim of Christ's day of birth. He deserves our gifts and thanks. The tree has been booted here along with the lights. I want my kids to appreciate it for what it is meant to be. They still get a gift and stuffed stockings over the mantle. So not total grinch. I just have such a different take on the whole celebration for what it is, time and age for me there, and yes, family says I am a grinch since I do not do an over kill santa thing. Hubs is not thrilled as my girl who will be 3 in Dec. thinks santa is an old fat man who breaks in your house at night... (do not know where she got that) We all have our own way, I just want my kids to see it as a celebration of a miricle, not an excuse for an x box...