Let There Be Lights
For the first time ever, I got my Christmas lights up before Thanksgiving. I took advantage of a windless, sunny day, with the temperature near 50, to climb around on the roof.
First, though, I had to go to the store for new lights. Grrrr. 3 out of 5 of last year's lights wouldn't work when I pulled them out of the Christmas boxes. Why do I even bother storing them? At $5 or $6, I could just toss them each January and buy all new ones the next holiday for less than $50.
I'm supposed to be encouraging my kids to recycle and re-use. We live in such a throwaway society that it pains me to buy products that aren't designed to last more than a couple of months.
What do I do, not put up lights? It just wouldn't be Christmas if I couldn't be the Clark W. Griswold of my neighborhood. I love the festive aspect of the holidays, as nature hibernates and our surroundings turn gray. A little bit of color gets me through the winter months a little easier.
Besides, my house likes to party in December. It demands to be lit up, all twinkly with blues, greens, and reds, fake icicles and snowflakes dangling from the eaves. It wants the inflatable snowman out front. Well, actually, I think it really wants the inflatable Santa on a Harley, but even I have to draw the line somewhere.
First, though, I had to go to the store for new lights. Grrrr. 3 out of 5 of last year's lights wouldn't work when I pulled them out of the Christmas boxes. Why do I even bother storing them? At $5 or $6, I could just toss them each January and buy all new ones the next holiday for less than $50.
I'm supposed to be encouraging my kids to recycle and re-use. We live in such a throwaway society that it pains me to buy products that aren't designed to last more than a couple of months.
What do I do, not put up lights? It just wouldn't be Christmas if I couldn't be the Clark W. Griswold of my neighborhood. I love the festive aspect of the holidays, as nature hibernates and our surroundings turn gray. A little bit of color gets me through the winter months a little easier.
Besides, my house likes to party in December. It demands to be lit up, all twinkly with blues, greens, and reds, fake icicles and snowflakes dangling from the eaves. It wants the inflatable snowman out front. Well, actually, I think it really wants the inflatable Santa on a Harley, but even I have to draw the line somewhere.
Labels: Christmas
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 9:19 PM
11 Comments:
Ya put up crimbo lights in November? what the heck is that about LOL
Bahhhh Humbug ;)
x
We opt for the minimalist candles-in-the-window look and a wreath on the front door. I cannot bear the site of those enormous inflatables on everyone's front yards. We do enjoy driving around to see light displays around our area, but we prefer to keep our house as simple as possible on the outside.
I'm looking into solar or LED Christmas lights (yes they do exist http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2000/12/15/life/index.html)...or downgrading and just doing the wreath/greenery thing.
By the way, I posted a little comment you might be interested on Dan's blog about your little U of I shirt gift...Go Cougs :)
I've always been all things Xmas after Thanksgiving, but since I've been a dad it is starting earlier and earlier.
It's my favorite time of the year, why not go along with the mall and TV and stretch it out a bit.
I know what you mean, we also have a few spare little lights here because they are never what they were each year and buy some new stuff every year. We unpacked out Chrissie tree from the shed last night and the kids will decorate it soon. I so want a white Christmas one day, it's to hot here for nice food, we do bbq's and salads mostly.
I can't tell you how happy it makes me when people get their Christmas lights out early! I am feeling all Christmas-y already, and if it were up to me, we'd start decorating as soon as Halloween was over. Paul (humbug) has a hard and fast Not-Until-After-Thanksgiving rule about Christmas decor. Oh, well--that won't stop me from singing carols around the house...
You only spend $50 on Christmas lights for your whole house? That's about what I spend every year the at the day after Christmas sales to add to my "collection". I've been puttin' up lights for two weeks now. I should be finished in about 4 more days. :)
-OD
I'm jealous. I may have missed my good weather weekend. My house likes to be decorated too. No inflatables here though.
My 4yr old figured out Christmas was coming soon so he asked if we could decorate the house. My den looks like winter wonderland.We had a riot! I love having kids..you get to break all of those stupid rules!
For some reason my password wouldn't take so I had to try anonymous and it worked - Thanks Becky
I wish I could leave the lights up all year round so I don't have to mess with the friggin things.
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