Only Words

I agree with other comments that everyone does it differently. A big factor is children. When we celebrate at my aunt's house, her grandchildren are a big focus. She actually decorates 2 trees, one real, one fake. The real one goes in the den, and the fake one in the formal living room. All the presents are stacked around the real tree. After a family dinner, presents are opened with much mayhem. (This is often on the Sunday before Christmas.)As a contrast, my husband and myself, usually with my father-in-law have a very sedate celebration. We have a fake tree. It is already put up, but not decorated. Thanksgving weekend is a good time to do the time-consuming chores like tree-assembly, and putting up outdoor decorations like lights and set pieces like fake deer and snowmen. (See National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) Again, the degree out elaborateness of these decorations usually depends on whether you have kids. We just stick a wreath on the door. Some neighborhoods have competitions for outdoor displays.