Way back when .....we lived in an older house in town with maybe 2 small closets. No room for storing gifts.Mom made candy & cookies in December,but the huge tree was set up & decorated Christmas eve. The living room was closed off with sliding doors.Parents went to Grandparents when 4 kids were in bed asleep.Then all was put around the tree,while Dad put together bikes,wagons & doll houses.
On The morn when they slid the doors open,the tree was wonderful! All lit up with our angel on top & the pine tree smell,the songs on the record player. Pretty bowls of ribbon candy,fruit & nuts with the nut cracker ready to go.We didn't have a lot of money,but they made our Christmas magical. Wonderful memories !