I used to put it up the first weekend in December, but found that the weekend before Thanksgiving is much better. After all, I can enjoy it already on the long Thanksgiving weekend.

I also always buy lots of stuff after christmas when everything is on sale and once home, just store it with the other Xmas stuff. It is always fun and a surprise what I got last year - cause I won't remember till next year

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year