Tomi, I'm going to make a plea for you to not give up on the lights. Even if you don't get them all up, and even if they won't be up for a whole month, if it makes you feel good to see them, then it's worth the time. There have been years when I've been so busy I don't get my decorations up until Christmas Eve. Even this year, my tree only has a handful of ornaments on it so far, and I have a big box of greens that still need to be put out (hopefully before they become a box of "browns"! ). But whether you get things up early or late, Christmas is always a transient season, so let your little girl have lights to ooo and aaah over, even if it's only for a week or two. You know, sometimes I feel like putting the last things up on Christmas Eve helps make that night more special, like adding the final touches on the most important night of the season. I just thought of something...if you really can't get the lights up, maybe you could put luminaries out on Christmas Eve. A lot of neighborhoods around me do that, and it looks so beautiful. And all it takes are some lunch bags, sand and a cheap box of tea light candles. Anyway, it's just a thought. I'd just hate to see your little girl missing the lights.

(BTW, can you tell I'm a nut for Christmas time? )

*hugs*
mj