Actually, I never took it down from last year.

I leave 80% of my stuff up all year long; and the other 20% goes back up on November 1st right after Halloween.

Hello Chip and all,

I love your style, Chip, as I kept my brand new 6ft Nutcracker from Frontgate up all year long, because we just felt like it was so regal and magificent looking in our living room, and my gal would pat him everyday as she left for work. We always put up our Christmas tree the week of Thanksgiving, so it is up to enjoy for Turkey day and the rest of the holiday. It is just too much effort to enjoy for only a few weeks and we do not take it down until after Elvis Presley's birthday on January 8th as that was The King's tradition when he was alive, and Graceland stilll carries on that tradition to this day. Yes, I am a huge Elvis fan as you know, Chip.

Now, because of my involvment with helping to get the John Klein A Christmas Spectacular album released this year in large part to you, Mr. Arcuri, and my being honored to contribute those liiner notes for this splendid twofer CD by Real Gone Music, we our hosting a listening party for the John Klein album on November 17th here in Brookings, Oregon, so we can spread the word to all of our great friends and business associates. Of course I wanted you to come Chip, but I figured it was a little far for you from the greater New York area to the west coast for just one cocktail party. Well, to make a long story short, the Christmas tree is up and so are the outside decorations as of Monday, so we are in the holiday groove earlier than we have ever been and it is a kick in the pants.

We started a little early last year as well in tribute to the incredible release of Percy Faith's Music Of Christmas Expanded Edition as we had to have the tree up for this truly amazing accomplishement as well so we could listen to it on the first day of release, while decorating the tree. What will you have in store for next year? I am going to try to never decorate until after halloween, but that is the only promise I can make and pretty much live up to keeping. Oh, I still get to play any new release or reissue as soon as it becomes available, another rule of mine.  And my daughter says she cannot resist playing Johnny Mathis's Merry Christmas album all year long with the great Percy Faith arrangements, because it is so darn beautiful.

 I leave a few thing out all year, and would leave my Christmas Tree up too, but I live in a small apartment under 500 square feet.

I put my outdoor lights up on Halloween, and my tree went up this past weekend. I have to buy a new star or Angle for the top as mine no longer works, and I need to get several packages of tinsel  It helps hie the center pole on my artifical tree and give it a softer look.

Steve,

Thanks loads for the invite; sounds like a great party! And even though I can't attend, I'll be there in spirit.

Just finished decorating my home!  Today was a great day for it with a nor'easter running through New Jersey.  No snow here in Ocean County, but it's nasty outside.  At dusk, I'll light my tree for the first time this season!