For the last five years, my fiance, Melissa, and I have decorated our home together. She and I met at college, where would each put out a small three foot Christmas tree with very small, glass plastic bulbs and a single strand of tinsel.

Each of us spent maybe fifty dollars total and used the same decorations all three years we knew each other.

Once we graduated college and moved in to an apartment together, however, our decorations became more elaborate as our budget (and space) expanded.

We lived near a Hallmark card store, and we began a tradition of picking our a Hallmark ornament together each year, spending $20 – $30 each year. Read More »

In my house, we always have two Christmas trees. The larger of the two trees is set up upstairs, in the living room, and we put lights on it as well as decorations such as balls and ornaments.

Downstairs, we put a plastic tree that is not as attractive. Usually, we will have either a bow or a wreath placed on the front door. Also, we have some angels and Santa Clause stockings that we hang from our kitchen bar.

Outside, we usually do a poor job of hanging colored lights around the house and fence. That way, when it is dark and cold outside, we have something jolly to gawk at.

Also, our neighbors enjoy looking at our lighted yard. My wife makes popcorn stringers, and these go on the tree. Read More »

Christmas in my family has always been a very special holiday. We usually start decorating and preparing for the holiday right after Thanksgiving day! Usually, the day after Thanksgiving, my family starts decorating the exterior of our home. Read More »

I always keep a box or two of Christmas decorations stored in my apartment. I can count on adding to them every year. Most of what I have kept has been ornaments that have special meaning. I worked for Meyer and Frank, a department store that is now part of Macy’s.

I still have some of the ornaments that I bought there. I usually pick out an ornament or two a Walmart. I choose carefully because not all of the selection appeals to me. I also bought a nutcracker there when they offered international styles. Mine is a Frenchman. Read More »

At Christmas, my family usually does a little bit of decorating. Some years, when we have traveled for the holiday, we have done very little decorating, not even buying a Christmas tree.

When we have the holiday in town, we always get a tree, even though my mother complains how expensive trees are now. It is for this reason that we sometimes end up with something that closer resembles the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, puny looking and sparsly needled. Read More »

From the time I was a kid I’ve always preferred a more “childish” Christmas tree and sparse decorations. My mom was more of a formal tree and lots of decorations type of person. So at our house we had two trees, and my brother and I insisted that we put the presents under the “real” tree, and not the silly-looking pink Victorian thing she came up with!

Now that I have my own place and can do what I like, I opt for a tree with multi-colored lights and nostalgic and homemade ornaments. My husband and I bought a pre-lit artificial tree a few years back, as we often make the six hour drive to visit my parents for the holiday and cannot justify having a real tree.
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Christmas around the world is the time of year full of a variety of different celebrations and Christmas traditions around the world. Depending where you live there will be something unique and special to each celebrated christmas around the world.

Many of the Christmas traditions around the world originated in England and are still used and celebrated for many a Christmas around the world.

The Christmas tree was made popular by Prince Albert husband of Queen Victoria in 1840.

Christmas stockings are hung on the fireplace or foot of the bed for Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) to fill with goodies and Christmas presents are placed underneath the Christmas tree.
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Whatever country you go to, you will usually find a variety of cultures and customs making Christmas around the world celebrated with a variety of unique and similar Christmas traditions around the world.

You and your family might like to use other Christmas traditions and add them to your list of traditional favorites.

Wherever you spend your Christmas around the world you are sure to feel a part of the celebration as it is certainly the time of year when hospitality and good cheer take precedence.

Brazil is one country where you will find several of the Christmas traditions around the world as the country has a great mix of people from many parts of the world.
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