We used to always decorate the tree Thanksgiving weekend (because everybody was there to do it!) and take it down on New Years Day, starting out the new year with a nice clean living room.
When I was growing up my mom always made the Christmas fruitcakes on Thanksgiving afternoon. It was my job to shell and chop the pecans...and of course eat bunches of 'em while I was at it.
I've seen an email that gave a meaning for the gifts on each of the 12 days of Christmas. Will look to see if I can find it.
...Looked but it must have been on my old computer that crashed awhile back.