[DianaB]

A few years ago I decorated right after Christmas because I had a Christmas party here at the house in early December. I felt like I was so much better organized that year that I'm thinking that I'm going to try and do it again this year. (I'm trying to be better organized so my stress level isn't so bad!!) Usually we decorate the second week or so before Christmas which is hard to do because I have lots and lots of decorations!! I collect Hallmark ornaments and have a bazillion of them!! My tree is so full of ornaments but is really beautiful. Then it takes forever to take it down and put away!! I usually leave my tree up until the middle of January so that I can enjoy my collection and take it down when I'm more relaxed.

We, too, live about 1/4 mile from the road, but my 14 year-old daughter likes to have lights outside the house, so she and her dad usually put a few up. Nobody can see them unless they're coming to the house, but, oh well, it makes her happy.