NATCHEZ — To some, the No. 1 priority after Thanksgiving dinner is over is putting away the leftovers.

At the Lewis household, it’s putting up the Christmas decorations.

When The Dart landed on Lewis Drive in Natchez Saturday, the Lewis family had only put up approximately half of its Christmas decorations.

“By next week it will probably be decorated, but we literally just got started,” Jamie Lewis said.

The house’s living room already sported several decorations. Tinsel hung from the ceiling and walls, as did a few stockings.

A Christmas tree had been set up in the corner, undecorated for the moment. Bags of other festive decorations, including snowflakes, bows and lights, were on stand-by.

It’s not the first time they’ve been used.

“Same thing every year,” Lewis said.

Normally, Lewis said she digs out all the decorations by the second week in November to prepare for when they start decorating.

And, since it was still Thanksgiving break, Lewis’ daughter, Ja’Lisa Lewis, 14, was available to help put up the decorations on in the weekdays following Thanksgiving.

Ja’Lisa Lewis, a straight-A student who attends Vidalia High School, isn’t a fan of the long break.

“I just like going to school,” Ja’Lisa Lewis said.

But, even though she might not like the break, she does like being able to decorate.

It’s something of a family tradition.

Jamie Lewis’ grandmother used to own the house she, two of her children and her husband live in now. Her grandmother used to handle decorating for Christmas the same way Jamie Lewis does.

“Once Thanksgiving was over with, we came in here and started decorating,” Jamie Lewis said.

And, now that she lives in her grandmother’s house, she’s carrying on the tradition.

When the big day arrives, everyone gets together to celebrate. Ja’Lisa Lewis said she’s looking forward to seeing her young nephew open his gifts on Christmas.

Jamie Lewis is excited about having the whole family together.

“Just to see the family all come together, see them dancing and acting up,” Lewis said. “I just love to see that.”

But, until then, there’s still some decorating work left to do at Lewis Drive.