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I would be interested in knowing what other Catholic Freepers do with regard to this issue.

I usually decorate the weekend before the First Sunday of Advent and I do not take anything down until after Epiphany. I just love the way the house looks all decorated for Christmas, especially because I collect Nativity scenes. Other than my tree and our stockings, pretty much all my secular decorations throughout the house have been replaced by Nativities and lighted greenery.

We also celebrate St. Nicholas' day on December 6. The kids leave out their shoes and some candy and a couple of small gifts appear in the shoes.

Wow!! I'm very impressed with the great emphasis you all place on Advent, which was not celebrated by my family when I was a child. I was the first to introduce the Advent wreath when my daughter was young.

The Christmas tradition handed down in our family is, well, "traditional". We pick a free weekend mid December and ALWAYS purchase a real tree. It is decorated with colored lights and ornaments; some dating back to my childhood. For many years, I collected old world and unusual Santas. (Sorry, Mike, I like the "jolly old man"). These are strategically placed throughout the house.

My Christmas treasure, however, is a Precious Moments Nativity, acquired the year my daughter was born. Several years ago, I was truly fortunate to find a Nativity hand made by women in Peru. The baby Jesus is wearing one of those hand knit caps on His head.