I've noticed that this year there seems to be a shortage of lights in my neighborhood. Usually Fenway and I enjoy taking in the lights as we walk in the evenings, but this year it's been sad and dark. I wonder if Thanksgiving being so late has left people scrambling, or if there just isn't that much desire for it this year. It's odd to me to think that my neighborhood that goes whole hog for Halloween, doesn't do much for Christmas.
By contrast, the neighborhood where I teach is one of the most famous places in the city that people go to see the lights. Even the houses that aren't in the prime viewing areas are still bright and cheery with decorations and lights.
This video gives you a sense of the Dyker Heights lights.
Some of it is admittedly over the top. I read a report that some of these families spend as much as $20,000 on the light displays! As much as I enjoy Christmas lights, I can think of a lot better things to do with $20k though.
So what is decorating like where you live? Outdoor displays or does everyone just decorate within their homes?
Merry Christmas!
I love decorating and I love pretty Christmas displays, so you're barking up my tree! We have suburban neighborhoods that go all out and have musically-timed light shows... and we have simple one string of roof lights and a snowman, too.
ReplyDeleteHere in the country, it's a real mix. Some of the old homes love to go festive like I do, but others are dark. I wonder if folks got too old to mess with hanging things from rooftops or hauling decoration totes out of the attic? It's like watching time crawl to see how things change over a decade.
The village south of me has white lights in all the trees along their quaint Main Street, and festive wreaths on each pole. And in the summer they hang banners to honor individual military personnel from their town. It's quite lovely. They also do a tree lighting and Christmas on the Canal (Erie Canal) so it's a very Hallmark-friendly setting.
I do love Christmas lights. In the cold, dark north a bit of light makes a big difference!
But tens of thousands of dollars sure would help feed some hungry children in a world of split treasures, wouldn't it?
Feeding the hungry was exactly my thought, Ruthy. On the other hand, I'm trying not to judge. Maybe the lights are feeding some hungry spirits in need of Christmas cheer. That's me trying to be Pollyanna. ;)
DeleteI love the description of the village south of you. I tried to Google it, but got everything under the sun about the Erie Canal and Delphi, IN.
Mary Cate, I love the lights, too. There's just something magical about them that makes you smile. Ever since I was a kid, I've been drawn to them.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Mindy. They make me smile. The same way fireflies do. ;)
DeleteWhoa!!!! Those are some lights! But the cost! And the time involved in stringing them all up and the hydro bill.
ReplyDeleteWe have one street in the burbs that's become quite famous for that kind of spectacular display but it's created some very Grinch-like feelings from neighbouring streets because of the bumper to bumper traffic all the 'light tourists' bring to the area. Plus some of the houses are blaring live Christmas music for hours on end which adds a whole other dimension to it. I think it started out as a lovely Christmas spirit kind of activity and when every house on the street lit up it made the news and that seemed to stir up some competitive spirit or, at least, trying to out do each previous year and it's got out of hand.
I find that more people are putting up lights this year in my area...but in a modest display. It makes walking in the deep, dark chill of the night more cheery for sure.
I'm so glad for you, Kav. That's what I miss - the cheer in the deep darkness.
DeleteThere have been lots of instances of traffic problems here, too, but I think at this point people mostly know to avoid those few blocks because it's such a tradition.
Since we're out in the country this year (for the first time!) it's been interesting to see who decorates outside and how much. The townhouse unit next to ours has children, and they go all out...but it's for their children. No one else except us gets to see it! Most of the other houses we can see put up a single string of lights, like we do.
ReplyDeleteOne big difference we've noticed is that all the lights go out by ten or eleven at night, rather than leaving them on all night long. It seems we're not the only ones who love our quiet darkness at night!
That's interesting, Jan. I've been wondering about it when I walk Fenway around 6:30 am and I can see Christmas trees lit up in houses. Do they leave them on all night? Or are they turning them on as soon as they get up? I'm thinking a mix, but there are many lit trees in otherwise dark houses.
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