Last week my grandson and I went to Dirr Nursery to cut our Christmas tree. We brought it home, put it in its holder in the living room, untangled and strung the lights, and hung the ornaments.

It was a lot of fun, and in doing so we joined the millions of other families in America who will decorate a Christmas tree this year; a ritual that is as deeply imbedded in American tradition as pumpkin pie and turkey and dressing.

The holiday season wouldn