I usually decorate the tree and rest of house the weekend after Thanksgiving. My ceramic village goes up and the big train goes around the tree (have a 4 year old grandson). My husband puts the lights on the outside of the house.A few weeks before we make and decorate ginger bread houses and I bake all the cookies a day or so before Christmas...Spritz, Whiskey balls, iced sugar cookies to name a few. Everyone comes over our house for turkey dinner and gifts. And the pies, I bake the day before also. AND I PROBABLY GAIN 10 LBS. LOL