Before becoming a witless, my family always used to have a routine. Decorations began trickling in right after Thanskgiving. Gradually, we would tape Christmas cards up as we receive them. Sometime around December 10-15, the Christmas tree went up--and that was one of the big highlights. The lights were primitive by modern standards (C7, and only 35 of them), but we used to have glass bulbs of all sizes and shapes. Soon after, we would go to a relative's (who lived in the next state about 160 km away one way), and I looked forward to seeing their tree lit up as well. Shopping was done around this time. I had most of November, and usually much of October as well, to go through the Sears Wish Book.
Once all this is done and school is done, we used to get out the candy. Candy canes, fudge, and candy ribbon was pretty much standard fare. We also had baked cookies (usually chocolate chip). Christmas Dinner was a big deal, but not as big as Thanksgiving.
On Christmas Eve, we used to hang up the stockings. The next morning, we would pull them down and take out the goodies. Then, it was breakfast--and then the Christmas tree was turned on. Gifts were then passed out, and that would usually last around 45 minutes. Afterwards, I would usually spend Christmas recess playing with things I got and finding out what others got for Christmas. The baby-sitters had children as well, and they also had their own Christmas displays and gifts. And, by the time we got all the way around, it was February. Of course, the tree had to go in early January because it was real and they used C7 bulbs.
These days, it is much simpler. I have my Christmas decorations in my apartment up all summer, so I can enjoy some of the sights of Christmas all year. The Christmas music is placed on a 16 GB Sony Walkman, which is around 1/3 full with more than 700 songs. I put it on shuffle play, and have it loop at random through this.
Of course, now I help decorate the hall for Christmas. Right after Halloween, I start pulling down the Halloween stuff and replacing it with Christmas. I line the hall window with red lights (and clear icicles across the top), putting tinsel garland and bulbs across the top (which requires a stepladder). Then I put lights along the wall, along with tinsel garland and ornaments of various designs. The garlands are multi-colored, so it is variable as you go from one part of the hall to another. Red lights line the stairwell, along with clear icicles and lights on the top level. I have a miniature tree with clear lights and red, white, and light-green ornaments in the basement with a backdrop of lit garland (the real kind, not tinsel garland) with ornaments on it. It makes a simple yet colorful and elegant effect.
For sure, this beats sitting at home watching videos recorded in July or listening to music tapes with just Washtowel approved music all day. Or worse yet, field circus.
