We put our tree up either on Thanksgiving or on Friday...whenever my girls are around to help. Re: outdoor decorations- my husband does not get into outdoor decorating at all so I just put wreaths on the front and back doors and put out holiday doormats. We live in a farmhouse way back off the road and whatever decorations we might put outside would mainly be for our enjoyment, I guess. I have cut back on the doo-dads we put up in the house, as well. It is my personal opinion that sometimes less is 'more'. As much as I love looking at decorations and admire those who go all out...I know that the taking down and packing up would fall on my shoulders...and I just don't want to do it.