?Doors open at 5 A.M. for the largest sale of the year!? This and similar advertisements distract eyes and ears through TV, radio and newspaper, especially in the last month of the year. Although department stores market the holidays, few embrace the simplicity offered with traditions.

The shopping frenzy ignites after Thanksgiving with Black Friday, where companies broadcast the ?necessity? for the ?perfect? gift, found only in their store. Despite the selfless intentions to appease loved ones? desires, extra free time seems wasted shopping away from families.

A way to promote congregation can be found in garnishing the house with decorations and lights, yet it remains short-lived. Annual attractions such as Christmas Tree Lane offer free opportunities to celebrate the upcoming season.

Eighty-five years ago, a single tree marked the onslaught of a Fresno tradition available to all ages. Since then, various neighborhoods throughout town have adopted the custom which caters to different residential areas. Candy Cane Lane (Peach and Alluvial) and Huntington Boulevard have formed into such nostalgic and simplistic togetherness-promoters.

Although many parents view seasonal movies as a clean outlet to spend time with family, even PG-rated movies such as Elf and Fred Claus incorporate subtle sexual references such as lingerie for ?someone special?, not to mention light language slips.

Despite numb fingers and occasional shivers on a Christmas Tree Lane stroll, the positives outweigh the frigidity. The absence of surround sound and irritant movie enthusiasts leaves room for conversation sparked by a Grinch-themed house or a 10-foot tall inflatable Santa.

Instead of focusing on sales for an elaborate gift, emphasis on family remains presidential to escape a superficial holiday season. It may be more enjoyable to unwrap the latest iPod on Christmas morning than reminiscing about a Huntington Boulevard walk. However, ask the question, ?Does this reflect thought and care, or is it simply Apple?s newest attempt at a profit boost??