We get our tree on Dec 1. It is usuallt about 7 feet tall, quite full with soft needles. I love lights, so DH grumbles the entire time (secretly he loves it). Then we all decorate the tree with ornaments we bought on travels, from when DH and I were children, ornamnts the boys have been given, ornaments the boys made and Old World Christmas ornaments (my fav-especially the glass clip on birds).