"So, you're not going shopping at all?  Isn't that some sort of woman law that you must go shopping on Black Friday?"  Logan asked the next morning as they all sat around the kitchen table eating breakfast.

"No way!  This new invention called the internet makes shopping much easier on a magical day called Cyber Monday,"  Lorelai explained.  "We do not feel the need to fight for discount shoes in person anymore.  Now we click, click, click and have the shoes dropped right on our pretty porch,"  Lorelai said.  Then she grinned, "Well, it will be our beautiful porch after today!"

"Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving.  That means fall is over and we are in Christmas season!  Today is Decorate Day!"  Rory said.

"Find something to do.  Find anything to do.  Go for a drive.  Go to work. Get to a hospital and request they put you in a coma.  Come work at the diner.  Do not stay here.  They will have you on a ladder or climbing on the roof attaching reindeer and a decrepit Santa,"  Luke advised.

"He is not decrepit.  I will agree that he has seen better days, but he is not decrepit!"  Lorelia protested.

"Mom, the leak in the garage really didn't help him much. His beard isn't white anymore.  His coat isn't really red either.  We left him up too long that one year.  The sun really bleached his coat.  And when Kirk accidentally backed into the garage with that riding mower, the one side of Santa's head did go flat. I still don't understand why it won't pop back out.  It's like a ball.  We should be able to inflate it or something,"  Rory mused.  "He may be bordering on decrepit at this point."

"Ok, ok, so Santa has seen better days.  But he is part of our tradition!  When you were four and  I trash picked him for the potting shed, you were so excited!  He goes up again this year!"  Lorelai insisted.

"Oh, absolutely!  I wasn't saying he shouldn't.  I was just being fair and agreeing a little with Luke,"  Rory said.

"Thank you.  Care to discuss the reindeer next?"  Luke asked.

"The reindeer are decrepit too?"  Logan asked.

"No, they are not.  They may be missing a few parts, but that's the charm!  We keep fixing them up,"  Lorelai said.

Luke looked at Logan and said, "So...the reindeer..." He took a breath and began, "There are three and a half.  Yes, I said half, as in half a reindeer.  Santa doesn't have nine to pull his sled here. Nope, three and a half will do.  No one knows what happened to the hindquarters of what they decided is Dasher, or as they call him 'Dash'.  He kind of looks like a dash, just a straight line with a head.  He has no back legs, just the torso area.  He is also missing a tail.  Legs are fashioned every year.  If you stay around here, you will be making reindeer legs out of God knows what.  One year it was Pringles cans.  One year it was paper towels rolls.  That was a bust, by the way.  Cardboard does not hold up in Connecticut snow.  My personal favorite was the summer sausage legs from the gift basket Emily sent.  What a waste of food.  And Babette's cats kept trying to get on the roof."

"I see..." Logan said.

"And then you have the other three derelict reindeer.  There was a reason this set was in the trash all those years ago.  Rudolph has no red nose.  It was lost years ago.  They used apples until I spray painted a tennis ball and permanently attached it.  Of course that wasn't good enough.  Rudolph's nose lights up.  So I had to remove it and make it light up.  Now Rudolph has a red light bulb sticking out of his face.  He also sports a saddle type thing with a huge #1 on it.  In case you don't remember the story, Rudolph ended up being the leader, the number one.  So they figure he should be acknowledged as such," Luke took a breath before continuing his Christmas rant.  "Then there is Vixen.  A few years ago, they thought it would be funny to play on the name-- you know, make a vixen reindeer.  There will be a drag queen reindeer on the roof,"  Luke said.  At Logan's wide eyes, he said, "Oh yes, it is a reindeer with beads and red lipstick.  I believe some sort of fringe is involved too.  Going with the theme of dressing up by name, we then have Dancer.  Since Rory's days of ballet were cut short, her old ballet slippers are now attached to a reindeer.  Lorelai was creative enough to make a tutu for it as well."

"Oh my...I had no idea..." Logan said.

"It's festive and fun.  We always have people stop outside our house to admire the decor,"  Lorelai said.

"I have no doubt," Logan said.

"The only reason I haven't thrown these things out in the diner Dumpster is because they make Taylor go crazy.  He has made up town ordinances to try to get them removed.  You can watch him twitch when he sees them,"  Luke grinned. "That part is pretty good."

A few hours later, Rory stood on the front lawn with Lane watching Logan struggle to anchor Dancer to the roof without messing up his tutu.  Luke had escaped right after breakfast claiming he had to be at the diner to approve a delivery.  Lane had stopped in for coffee and heard from Luke that the decorating was happening that day.  She quickly ran home and grabbed the boys to watch the show. While Lane directed Logan with Rory, Steve and Kwan were helping Auntie Lorelai untangle icicle lights. 

"Nice job not messing up the tutu, Logan.  It needs to be fluffy and blow in the wind so drivers cans see it from their cars.  I don't mean to nitpick... but, you untied one of the ballet slippers.  It kind of looks weird just hanging. Can you lace it back up the leg and tie it in a cute little bow?"  Rory asked sweetly.  Logan turned and glared at her before attempting to lace up a ballet slipper on a reindeer leg while grumbling to himself.

"Oooh, he doesn't seem too happy with this job,"  Lane said quietly to Rory.

"He had the opportunity to leave.  Luke made up an elaborate lie about needing his help with the delivery.  Mom and I weren't going to fight it, even though it was obviously fake.  We thought it would be a nice bonding thing for them.  Logan chose to stay,"  Rory said.

"You'll notice Zack did not come with me.  Once he found out it was Decorate Day, he suddenly had to meet Gil.  He hasn't forgotten the year you and your mom stopped our practice and dragged all of them out of your garage to 'help for just a minute'.  He stands by the story that you guys had them all on the roof for three hours with those creepy, deformed deer!"  Lane said laughing.

"I think Mom has coaxed half the town up there over the years.  Strange that we don't have many repeat helpers,"  Rory said. "Want us to head over to your place next?  Spread some holiday cheer there?"

"Mama hung her wreath and set up the nativity set.  That's about as decorated as she gets.  I plan to do some lights at our house.  Steve and Kwan really want one of those blow up things for the yard.  They have their eyes on a Snoopy one.  Mama will hate it.  Zack already ordered one,"  Lane said.

"Hmmm, maybe we should get one for our yard,"  Rory thought out loud.  Then she called up to Logan, "Ok, Dancer looks right now.  Could you adjust Dash though?  Those extra porch spindles look great as legs, but they are at a really weird angle.  Maybe they are too tall?  Should his butt be higher than his head?"

"So, you want me to bring them down and cut them?  Can't I just prop his front legs on something?"  Logan called back.

"Then he would be taller than the rest.  He's in the back.  That wouldn't look right!"  Rory shouted back.

"Of course not.  Because this whole scene is just so realistic.  A taller reindeer would be the out of place thing,"  Logan mumbled as he grabbed Dancer and headed down the ladder with the reindeer under his arm to saw off some of the spindle legs.

"I am pretty sure he is going to be a 'one and done' for helping.  Better be on the lookout for new help for next year," Lane said grinning.  "Are we still getting my maid of honor dress tomorrow?"

"Yeah, if you are still available.  I have an appointment with a shop in Hartford.  We should be back early afternoon,"  Rory said.

"Yes!  I've been looking forward to some girl time.  I spend way too much time with boys," Lane said.  Then she said, "Oh!  Hey, I almost forgot to tell you-- Mark from Rolling Stone called me this morning.  He said he tried to reach you this morning."

"I haven't checked my phone.  It's inside.  Is everything ok?"  Rory asked nervous.

"Yeah, everything is fine.  He was calling to say they want to release the article you wrote on me early.  They are putting out a special holiday issue and want to include it because the others were such hits with readers.  He also wants to include a lot of the shots of Hep Alien from the tour.  He is pushing for its release in the next week," Lane explained.

"Oh wow, that's awesome!  I'll have to call him back this afternoon.  I have been getting so many emails and messages.  People are really excited to read your segment,"  Rory said.  "I really think it a powerful piece with all the information about your dad and family."

Lane sighed, "Yeah, I think so too.  A few times, I nearly asked you to halt the whole idea, keep my family issues private.  But I realized it kind of felt good to get it out, sort of a healing process I suppose.  I have been thinking of starting some sort of charity for refugees or political oppression victims or maybe just something for kids.  What do you think of that?"

"I think with your story, you would be the perfect person to bring awareness and assistance to those people.  I love the idea, Lane.  You and your band mates are so generous.  All of you are thinking of helping others with your success.  That is amazing,"  Rory said touched by Lane's idea.

The girls stopped talking as Logan came out of the garage.  He was tucking his phone back into his pocket and Dash was nowhere to be seen.  He came up to them and said, "I need a break.  I had a message from Luke.  He was just too sweet, checking in to make sure I was having fun." Logan rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Really have to take that man's advice from now on."  He looked at the girls and continued, "When I called him back, he said he has leftovers out at the diner for lunch.  Can we head over and come back to Dash and his peg legs later?  His buddies will hold down the roof until we get back."

"I could go for some lunch.  Luke's after Thanksgiving sandwiches are a highlight of the year!"  Rory said.  She called to Lorelai, "Mom! We are heading to Luke's for his 'Day-After Special'."

Lorelai straightened from her crouched position and herded the boys over to where Rory stood with Logan and Lane.  "Lights can wait, boys.  It's feed time!"

The group made their way to Luke's where Luke was waiting and prepared for them.  He brought out large plates loaded with a mix of Thanksgiving foods.  All the decorating had made everyone hungry.  They devoured the plates in no time.  Logan seemed to be stalling.  Rory suspected he was not in a hurry to climb back on the roof to finish setting up the display.  So, they sat around drinking coffee, eating pie, and chatting for a while.

The bell on the diner door rang out as someone entered.  "Lorelai Gilmore!  There you are!  We need to talk, young lady!"  a stern voice sounded from across the room.

Lorelai groaned and turned, "Hey Taylor.  How are you today?"

"Well, dear, I am not that good.  I just went on my daily town tour.  You know how I inspect the town  and routinely to make sure everything is within regulation and standards are being upheld.  It is a very critical responsibility in my position,"  Taylor said importantly.  Then with a huff, he looked at Lorelai, "I am a little concerned that your decorations are pushing the light limit we set in place a few years ago.  And you are over the limit for large holiday items in a display without a permit. Now, if you choose to keep all the items on your lawn, you will need to apply for the proper permit, then have the inspection.  And, of course, it will need to be formally voted on at the next town meeting."

"I'm sorry, Taylor.  As usual, I have no idea what you are talking about.  I have the same decorations I have every single year. Dash got new legs, but he gets new legs every year.  The rest of the crew is the same.  I did add some extra sequins to Vixen, but not nearly enough sparkle to apply for a permit,"  Lorelai said.

"Now, Lorelai, I know you have a talent for talking in circles and confusing people.  But this is a clear case of holiday decor violations.  I can see with my own eyes that you have added several large items this year,"  Taylor insisted.

Luke came over to refill coffee mugs and said to Taylor, "Hey Ghost of Christmas Anal-ness, they are Christmas decorations, let it go.  Shouldn't you be out shopping for another new sweater anyway?  I hear they are having a sale on ones that say 'kick me, I am annoying' at Wal-Mart."

"Luke, I serve an important role in this town.  Someone has to uphold the rules and keep the town in order,"  Taylor said glaring at Luke.

"Yes, because we don't pay police to do that, right?  We absolutely need an extra busy-body butting into everyone's business and telling us what do every minute.  Oh wait!  I am wearing my white socks with a gold stripe today.  Is that ok, Taylor?  Is it red stripe day?  Should we vote?"  Luke snapped at Taylor.

"I don't know why you have to be so difficult, Luke. This is for the good of the town,"  Taylor said shaking his head.  He looked back at Lorelai, "Now, I think we should wander over to your house and have a look together.  We need to figure out what to do about your over enthusiasm for the holiday."

"Sure Taylor, let's go to my house so you can tell me exactly what you have an issue with this year,"  Lorelai said trying not to crack up.

The whole group, including Luke, made their way back towards Lorelai's house.  As they approached, they noticed a large group of people standing in the street looking at the house. 

"Awww Sugah!  It is just amazing this year!  Love it!" Babette screeched as they approached.

"Really, sweetie, you out did yourself!  So festive and fun!"  Miss Patty said.

"I wish you had contacted me.  I started a Christmas light and decorating business last week.  I am insulted you would hire out instead of hiring local!"  Kirk said.

Lorelai and Rory exchanged a confused glance.  But then the crowd parted enough that they could see their house.

A small crew of workers were just finishing setting up a Christmas bonanza on the Gilmore lawn.  They had mounted Dash back on the roof with his friends, keeping the original display, but had added to it spectacularly. Even thought it was daylight, they could see the spotlight that would illuminate Santa and his reindeer at night. Not only were there icicles lights hanging from the eves, but the whole roof was outlined in lights.  And the front lawn was littered with Christmas.  The workers had set up a small shed that was labeled Santa's workshop.  It had automated elves circling it with music playing. There was a giant blow up snowglobe with snow swirling inside.  By the road, there was a huge mailbox labeled 'letters to Santa'.  It lit up and had a Santa that kept popping up from behind it waving.  The workers had even sprayed a light coating of something on the ground to look like snow.  It shimmered in the light like glitter.

Steve and Kwan ran forward to watch the elves move.  They started dancing to the music.  Lane followed them to make sure they didn't get hit by a whirling elf.

"Oh my God!" Rory exclaimed.

"This is awesome! But how did this happen?"  Lorelai asked.

Luke looked at Logan, "I have to hand it to you-- you did it.  I didn't think your crew could do all this in just over an hour."

Rory looked at Logan grinning.  She wrapped an arm around him and said, "You did this?  It's great!" Logan just grinned back and squeezed her tightly to his side.

"The best part is that Taylor hates it!"  Luke said.  "I can live with elves and music for a month if the vein in his forehead keeps popping out like that."

Lorelai looked at Taylor who was shaking his head disapprovingly.  She said, "Write up the permit, Taylor.  Most of the town is here and I think they all approve!"

A/N:  Thank you to Elianne1105 for inspiring the finishing touches of this chapter.  Your suggestion triggered my imagination and helped me to develop the full eccentric Gilmore holiday.