We didnt do anything the first 3 or 4 yrs after leaving. Then one x-mas, my wife put up a little string of lights across the bar, cuz it looked pretty. Then the next year she got into the snowman decorations. I guess we were both reluctant to go full blown. Now it's the only time of year i wish i was still a JW. It takes 3 days at least to crawl up on the roof, hang lights all the way around the house, put up the portable snowman with the motorized arm, (that waves to passing cars) the 8 ft. tree with all the hundreds of ornaments, the little village that plugs in to a 10 socket extension, stockings for each of us and our dogs. I jokingly told her that the next thing you know, there would be a Santa Clause on a train running around the yard. And she didnt even laugh. But said that was a good idea. Urgggggg.
Hey what can i say. Yeah its a pain puttin all the stuff up, but i love this time of year. Even though we dont have family close by, and what family are close enough, are dubs, we do it as a family. And it really brings us closer together. Put all the commercialism aside. Larc is right, focus on your family and you. Not on the mainstream.
Oh, and should you decide to go old fashion x-mas one day, dont go out somewhere and cut your own tree, you might have family members who are allergic to it!!!! (been there, done that)
Holiday Cheers, and God Bless!!!