A few weeks ago, I stated that I was not going to hang lights from my house, saying that I wasn’t going to support the giant Asian factories’ production of Christmas lights.
But that was before I got a glimpse of what my neighbours were doing. The neighbourhood where I live now is very competitive about their Christmas decorating. I think that the unofficial motto for the holidays is “why do when you can overdo!”. 
So, the question is, should I keep up with the neighbours and festoon my house with thousands of lights, or stay true to myself and have a small tasteful tree in a lovely urn, lit by a decent number of white fairy lights?
Hmm. The lights have to come from somewhere. I say, delight in the celebration in your neighborhood and keep to your conscience at home.
ReplyDeleteGosh this post so resonates with me. I'm much more of the small tasteful tree in a lovely urn etc kinda guy. In Thailand they favour the OTT approach of your 34th Street neighbours. Stay true to yourself, I say!
ReplyDeleteHi Meg--definitely stay true to ourself. That said, maybe some decorations in the windows that shine your light to the street? Mary
ReplyDeleteTrue to your school, but something charming and lighted. Garland and lights around the door?
ReplyDeletexo J.
It's your house, so I think decorate it, or not, in the way you prefer. Our neighbor across the street lost his wife to cancer this past spring -- it's his first Christmas without her. We were so surprised to see him putting up all his Christmas lights and decorations -- even some new ones! I'd rather think that maybe it comforts him, instead of feeling like this is what he has to do... I would say half the people in our neighborhood do lights, and of course there is the one over-the-top house around the corner -- lights blink to the music that you tune into the radio station to hear and a Macys parade size inflatable Santa!
ReplyDeleteStay true to yourself but add in one thing that is cheeky. Maybe light your urn and then have a straw dog (in honor of yours) all lit up with faux reindoor antlers on, or something. That way the neighbors know you're with them, even though it's in a more understated way.
ReplyDeleteWould you have this conundrum this if you lived on 34th Street?
ReplyDeleteILLG - I would have never considered living on 34th Street. There's no parking, even in the best of times, like July!
ReplyDeleteThis is my theory: Yule decorations of any sort are great.
ReplyDeleteThe street you posted the photo of? Wonderful. If there was a little house that had one string of lights on a shrub? Wonderful.
Personally, I get just as much Christmas joy from a little old lady's candle in the window as I do from someone else's over-the-top shebang light show complete with ice skating elves on a mirrored pond.
Every display, every decoration, has its own spirit. Each little sparkle, each light, each tree seen through the window adds just as much to the feeling of the season.
Do your own thing.
Only you know the answer! Go with your heart
ReplyDeleteWhile these lights are way over the top for me, it obviously provides entertainment especially for children. I am not into all the lights and the inflatable santa, etc., but I have to admit, I did enjoy the hubcap tree and the tire snowmen. It appears these people put a lot of energy into this and maybe it brings the neighborhood together with some holiday spirit. I am sure there is, as you said, "why do when you can overdo!" here as well. There is so much political correctness with Christmas now that I appreciate some decorating. I was talking to a friend yesterday, and she was telling me that in her 6 yr. old's school they do not talk about Christmas, make any ornaments, or have Christmas recitals. I am glad our kids grew up at a time when this was all acceptable.
ReplyDeleteAs for your house, I would definitely do what you want.
I hate Christmas. Drape the house in black crepe but decorate Connor.
ReplyDeleteStay true to yourself! Always!
ReplyDeleteTish's comment made me feel sad for a moment. Decorate as you wish...your home...your say-so. Enjoy 34th Street for what it is. You will instinctively KNOW what feels right to you.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the latter, for all sorts of rather tedious reasons like not keeping up with the Jones, respecting the environment and all that. Mainly because it sounds like that's what you'd rather do.
ReplyDeleteYou know the answer Meg..... stay true to you and decorate in your own stylish way... xv
ReplyDeleteI so agree with Vicki...Meg do your own thing! I adore Christmas and loved seeing 34th st. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteJust do what you want. That will make you happiest. And, think of this: every strand of lights, tinsel, and whatnot all uses up your time when January rolls around and it's time to put away the decorations.
ReplyDeleteTo thine own self be true!
ReplyDeleteWhile I do enjoy the Christmas displays, I know that it's not my forte. I leave the displays to folks who really know how to do it well.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
~Jules
Vickie H., why so sad, honey bun?
ReplyDeleteOh Tish, just wish the Christmas season brought you joy and that you didn't hate it, that's all.
ReplyDeleteDon't cry for me Argentina, Vickie H., I get tons of joy out of the other 11 months. I'm not a Christian, the holiday has no intrinsic meaning for me, and I am wary of the dull blades of Mad Ave. and tradition.
ReplyDeleteI understand why people love this time of year and I'm happy they're happy, but to me it's just a disruption in the year.
Having said that, Merry Christmas to YOU and everyone who reads Meg's wonderful blog.
Thank you, Tish, for filling me in and thank you for the very nice seasonal wishes! May your life be enriched in 2012 in ways you never imagined!
ReplyDeleteI love 34th Street - I'm going next Wednesday - and I think what happens there is bigger than just Christmas decorations. It's a gift to the city. That said, I can't imagine going whole hog here at my house.
ReplyDeleteI think there's something to be said for restraint, even in the middle of Hampden, too. Have you ever seen the house around the corner from 34th - it's a big one, maybe divided into apartments - that's completely bare except for the Christmas Story leg lamp in a central window? It's just perfect.
The end of my block is festive with lots of lights, big blow up Santas, electric candy canes, and much more. I really enjoy looking at it throughout the holidays.
ReplyDeleteIf my little ceramic Christmas tree is not in my bow window, I get a call from the festive light people inquiring about my little tree. The only other decoration is a tacky Christmas wreath on the front door.
We each have our own decorations...as you should yours. Put up what makes you feel good and enjoy your neighborhood decorations.
what blocks of 34th, I wonder? Looks worth a visit....
ReplyDeletecp
CP - the official website (christmasstreet.com) directions take you to 726 West 34th, which is between Chestnut and Keswick. Good luck parking anyplace close - but it's worth it!
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