Hi list: When I arrived in NY at JFK in 1964 around Christmas time, I missed my holidays right away. So I quickly shopped for tree candle holders in the German section at 86th St. To this day I use them and live candles every year and put on a German Heilig Abend at my house, pretty much according to my tradition. No tree until Xmas Eve. I do the 4 weeks advent wreath routine first, then on the 4th of advent get the tree, cut our own or purchase it. Still use German tinsel, the leaded kind, send over by my sister. In my community in Kingston, a Lutheran Church has a German service. We also have many stores selling German goodies including advent calendars, Christ Stollen, Lebkuchen, Pfeffernuesse, etc. The tree remains up until Jan. 6th, Holy Three Kings. In my house back in Germany my father was the tree decorator, later the oldest (me) was permitted to participate also. My sister in Hessen keeps the same routine, no one sees the tree until it's done and the Bescherung (gift-giving) starts on Xmas Eve (Holy-Eve) The tree is part of the surprise. My adult children and I enjoy it this way, and are looking forward to it, we try to keep the commercial stuff out as much as is possible. I must admit though, being able to order gifts over the Internet is a very convenient way. To all of you, a happy Advent time. Regards, Ingrid in Kingston. IGF