Well, I think I've actually done a pretty good job of keeping things "in perspective" this year. The wife and I got all of our shopping done extremely early (ok, so she did 99% of the shopping....but she's good at it!).
I really have tried to slow it all down for myself this year. In 2004, Tristan wasn't quite yet one year old, so he could've cared less. In 2005, Casey was already a wild man (at three months old!), and Tristan suffered "present overload" in Clendenin, so that made it fairly difficult and I was happy to get back home and throw the tree back in the box.
This year, however, Tristan is old enough to enjoy the tree and lights (inside and out), which is one reason why I wanted to "soak it up."
When I put up the lights outside, Tristan stayed outside with me and "helped daddy" while Casey watched through the windows.
When we're in the car, Tristan will look and point at every house with Christmas lights. Occasionally he'll also show his little brother the different lights with a "Casey, look at lights!" Of course Casey could care less as he's glued to the DVD currently playing in front of him.
It certainly feels like it's gone slower this year, and that's a good thing. Tristan hasn't attempted to tear into the presents already....uh....present underneath the tree (although some ornaments are curiously missing). As a family, we've been able to relax at home and watch Christmas movies (aside from the occasional outing) without being too stressed out by trying to find gifts for others on a less-than-Trump-like income.
I guess we'll have to see how the rest of the season goes. Hopefully it will continue to progress like it has to this point.
