As a happy import from sub-arctic Ohio, it can be hard to get in the holiday spirit without the bone-chilling cold and blizzard conditions on the highways that used to herald the upcoming holidays. Thankfully, there is one thing that never fails to get me ready for Christmas, so today we raise our glasses to toast… Christmas lights!
Yes, those little twinkles along the roof line or throughout the yard really help bring the holiday to life. In the dark it is easy to ignore California’s summery green grass and trees still half full of leaves and focus on the artful (or not) light show. Some homes are understated, with a bit of LED icicle lighting dangling below the rain gutters. The purple ones seem especially jolly this year.
Other homes go all out! Vast, pulsating webs of light; thousands of bulbs involved. Could these be visible from space? Taking a page from one of our seasonal favorite DVDs, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, these homes stretch the limits of power grid to deliver a personal statement on lawn ornamentation unrivaled any other time of year. There seems to a twinkle-light arms race, with each competitor yearning to make the front page of the local newspaper. Do they get a Thank You card from the electric company?
So to all of you who decorate your home, lawn or tree, thank you! You are spreading cheer and providing happiness for everyone who drives by. Especially in climates that are blessedly free of snow, your light display is a comforting reminder that Christmas is just around the corner!
About the Author: John grills a mean steak and is always in the market for another wine fridge. Believes that if a winery has more than 10 employees, it's probably too big. Buys wine faster than he drinks it, but who cares?
