Christmas tree traditions in America vary from family to family.
In many homes decorating the Christmas tree is an activity that involves all but the very youngest (babies) family members.
Added to the excitement of decorating the tree is the expectation of all the gifts family members will place under it as well as those treasures, especially for children, which Santa will place there on Christmas Eve.
Some families follow an old tradition of decorating the tree on Christmas Eve, while others put theirs up the week-end after Thanksgiving.
Of course, trees are put up throughout the weeks of December leading up to Christmas.
Those who put the tree up on Christmas Eve often leave it up until Twelfth Night, the fifth of January, while the ones who put their tree up earlier often have it out of the house by New Year's Day.
In the United States Twelfth Night, which concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas is rarely celebrated.
Many, if not most, Americans mistakenly believe that the Twelve Days of Christmas are the twelve days leading up to Christmas, not the twelve following it.
In any case, most think it is bad luck to have Christmas decorations up past January the sixth.
Whenever you choose to decorate your tree it can be a fun time for everyone in the family.
Play Christmas music and sip hot chocolate as you work.
Talk about the ornaments as they are put on the tree.
Some families add an ornament for each family member each year.
Trying to remember what was going on both in the family and the world for the years on the ornaments is a lot of fun.
If there are handmade ornaments, acknowledge the ones who made them if they are present.
If the ornaments were made by someone who is not there, recall good times or memories about that person or persons.
As the years go by your family will have its own Christmas tree traditions.
It is traditional in many families to place nativity sets and/or electric trains under the tree as part of the decorations.
Christmas tree decorations can be themed or eclectic; the important thing is that the tree in your home reflects your family and be one that everyone in the family enjoys.
In many homes decorating the Christmas tree is an activity that involves all but the very youngest (babies) family members.
Added to the excitement of decorating the tree is the expectation of all the gifts family members will place under it as well as those treasures, especially for children, which Santa will place there on Christmas Eve.
Some families follow an old tradition of decorating the tree on Christmas Eve, while others put theirs up the week-end after Thanksgiving.
Of course, trees are put up throughout the weeks of December leading up to Christmas.
Those who put the tree up on Christmas Eve often leave it up until Twelfth Night, the fifth of January, while the ones who put their tree up earlier often have it out of the house by New Year's Day.
In the United States Twelfth Night, which concludes the Twelve Days of Christmas is rarely celebrated.
Many, if not most, Americans mistakenly believe that the Twelve Days of Christmas are the twelve days leading up to Christmas, not the twelve following it.
In any case, most think it is bad luck to have Christmas decorations up past January the sixth.
Whenever you choose to decorate your tree it can be a fun time for everyone in the family.
Play Christmas music and sip hot chocolate as you work.
Talk about the ornaments as they are put on the tree.
Some families add an ornament for each family member each year.
Trying to remember what was going on both in the family and the world for the years on the ornaments is a lot of fun.
If there are handmade ornaments, acknowledge the ones who made them if they are present.
If the ornaments were made by someone who is not there, recall good times or memories about that person or persons.
As the years go by your family will have its own Christmas tree traditions.
It is traditional in many families to place nativity sets and/or electric trains under the tree as part of the decorations.
Christmas tree decorations can be themed or eclectic; the important thing is that the tree in your home reflects your family and be one that everyone in the family enjoys.