The expected date has been critical in our area in a couple of recent years simply because of the number of people who had a nice little tree visible from the road before then, and didn't have a nice little tree after.

The thefts haven't been as numerous as implied by the news media, but it may still be necessary, whether or not you observed the festivities, to observe (surveillance TV with recorder, lighting, (electric) fences, and an M60 MG all part of the equipment) your trees.

Yard decorations have also been targeted, but the ones on the house are probably safe if you don't leave a ladder out.

John