Dec 17, 2013 Lights that never go out
Last weekend after dinner at my brother’s house in San Diego, our families went for a walk so our little girls could see Christmas lights. There are five or six blocks in the Clairemont neighborhood where every single resident goes all-out with holiday decorating, and we check it out every year. Who says that California doesn’t have seasons? Who says that holiday traditions have to cost a lot of dough?
It’s a festive time, and I love how the atmosphere feels very honest and unironic. Unlike an ugly Christmas sweater party where hipsters can slum for an evening, the decorations are up all day, every day after Thanksgiving. You can’t fake where you live. But what is it like to live there? When a house goes up for sale, do realtors warn potential buyers? I hope nonbelievers of Santa Claus or Baby Jesus aren’t given a hard time.
While electricity use surely skyrockets around the holidays–and San Diego is notorious for its high utility bills–there is opportunity for entrepreneurship. From behind folding tables, kids and grownups alike hawk homemade cookies, apple cider, and hot chocolate. (Although there are some Grinches who offer it for free.) Quite a few garages and driveways are made available for lounging or even arts and crafts, as well. Smiles are everywhere–and that’s just the visitors who step out of their cars.
No matter how you celebrate whatever holiday you may happen to believe in, I hope you are able to do it with loved ones this year. And if there are kids around, may their faces glow from happiness as well as colored light bulbs.