I'm so happy to read about the downtown treelighting. One of my happiest childhood memories is going downtown with the family for Christmas shopping & to see Santa at Hudson's. Sadly no more Hudson's, but glad to see good things happening downtown. Some good info about the preChristian origins of our holiday customs. I find this subject fascinating. A good book I read is When Santa Was A Shaman--can't remember the author--on this subject. I have always used "holiday season" to include Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Years. Why not also
Hanukkah, Kawanza, Yule, & the basis of it all, the Winter Solstice.