American Christmas?

[estepheia]

Did you miss me? I had an awfully busy week and an even busier weekend. I spent this weekend stocking the kids' advent calendars with second hand lego, chocolate, and some change (Tina is saving for a gameboy); I also translated for several hours, tidied, did laundry, dug out the Christmas decorations, went to a puppet theatre with hubby and the kids, and set up several Playmobil auctions in ebay. As you can see, I was too busy to keep in touch with LJ. I probably won't have the time to catch up either, because I have tons of laundry to fold - now that the kids are in bed (I'll sweeten the bitter pill with a few S2 epis of Andromeda)
Obviously, I haven't written a thing. But I feel kinda productive and virtuous, which usually means I'll get into writing mode soon.

I have not signed up for Secret Slasha (*sob*) because I don't want another WIP. Having said that I'd like to ask a few questions about American Christmas customs because I'd like to use the info as background for a Christmas-y fic I'm planning:
When do people get the tree? What are vital elements of a successful Christmas event? What do you eat? When does the mistletoe go up?

Comments

Christmas customs

[collinwood.livejournal.com]

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.