House is always very festive, but I never liked the idea of leaving a live tree (fire hazard) inside the house while away for more than 48 hours.
Early on, we had a tree, which I dragged out to the curb prior to our departure, a couple days before Christmas, — feeling like Paulie in Rocky I, throwing Adrian’s Thanksgiving turkey in the alley. The menacing and judgmental looks of passerbys was too much “guilt” to bear.
But, we always have a beautiful tree at my MIL’s residence in DC, tastefully decorated by my wife, with a train continually looping around the tree. So yes, Christmas is fully celebrated, going to mass Christmas Eve, followed by dinner out, and plenty of red wine. Lots of coffee Christmas morning, a proper breakfast prepared by me, and of course, a proper nap.
Go Jesus!