We always did artificial trees. Put it up the weekend after Thanksgiving.
For Christmas, we did the big event at my Dad's side of the family, all the aunts, uncles, and cousins, about 15 of us, had dinner and behaved quite similar to the Griswolds. Always did it on Christmas Eve.
My mom's side is small, we sometimes had a dinner on Christmas day.
Nowadays, my parents are divorced, I go to my dad's or uncle's for the big event and my mom I usually just stop over for a small dinner Christmas day.
Here is last year's
Traditions in England are chocolates on the tree here are this years in a bowl will put on tree over weekend.