Like most families, our family has many rituals - most are so routine that we don't even notice them, others are seasonal, some are loosely held and others are sacred cows, so to speak.  Living on a farm adds to the sense of rhythm in our lives.  
 
The holiday season has rituals that are both mundane and profound.  It is interesting that as I get older, I'd like to get out fewer decorations for the season changes.  You know, less work and all.  But, I've learned that putting out the holiday decorations is a mandatory ritual for our family.  If life gets too busy and it just doesn't seem to be happening in a timely fashion, one of the children will start pulling out the boxes.  Since they can't really do it by themselves, they pull others into the process and next thing you know, whether it is a convenient time for all or not, we have the Christmas CDs blaring and lights strung all over the house and we don't stop until everything is just right.
 
As for the tree itself, that is yet another family adventure that may or may not be tied with getting out all the other decorations.  It is a separate event.  Since we own a Christmas tree farm, most of the family spends weekends outside helping others with their tree ritual.  Read more here