We always put up the tree and inside outside decorations on ThanksGiving Day! Then Christmas is official. On Christmas Day it's just the four of us ALL DAY! Grammas and Grampas Stop by and we get and give many phone calls to all the sibblings, and chat with the nieces and nephews. This year we have started a new tradition the kids and I are really excited about and helps to keep us grounded to the true meaning of Christmas. We are doing the advent, every night at dinner lighting the proper advent candle and reading scripture along with some interesting things the kids and us can take part in to help explain the scripture and meaning of the word, to the kids. The candle stays lit through dinner as a constant reminder of our Thankfulness for God's love and the coming of Christmas. The kids have taken part so nicely for the last couple nights and it really has brought a nice reality to our family of the true meaning of this season. So easily we all get caught up in the merchandizing and media of the season we can forget what we celebrate come Christmas, these candles in the middle of the dining table are a constant reminder of the Truth of the Season and the Depth. Makes me even more grateful for the beautiful tree and twinkling lights. I LOVE Christmas!