Welcome to my digital writing journal, or mydigitalclutter. What started as a family blog almost two years ago has morphed into my writing therapy. This is where I do a lot of free writing, mostly about my life with my family and the things that catch my interest. While nowhere even close to perfect, in each post I like to see how my writing is changing with time and practice. Most posts are left unedited for this reason, so if you don't mind, take the journey with me.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

I Totally Blame My Cold...for the Christmas Lights

I am now infused with Christmas cheer....not.  I've been out sick for a few days, and am just starting to feel on the mend. I have made terrific strides though, in capturing that wondrous feeling from my childhood, and find it elusive, but closer than my last post.  I loved the suggestions, commiserations, and honesty from those who commented.  I was surprised to see that there were many who felt as I do.  We should form a support group or something....

So, let's talk Christmas lights....do you love them?  Hate them?  Still have them up in July?  I have very strong opinions on the subject of Christmas lights, just ask my husband.

To me, Christmas lights should be hung by professionals.  I love the straight and structured white lights, where they are placed perfectly, with just the right amount of lights on each eave and stretch of roof line, with no excess trailing down the drain pipe.  Colored lights may work in a pinch, but white is the preferred color of the season.

There is something about haphazard placement that sets my teeth on edge.  You know the ones I'm talking about....where the tiny lights may be stapled to the edge of the roof every twelve feet, and the multi-colored bulbs twinkle relentlessly...but let's not talk about my pet peeve of twinkly lights...that is another post entirely.  It just looks messy.

If you were to drive past my house this Christmas season, you will not find lights.  No, we have forgone the traditional festive display because I can't be satisfied with the light placement.  I may say that we have little or no time in which to scale the roof to attach yards and yards of lights, but I would be lying.  I could also say that we don't have enough strands in which to do a credible job of lighting our home.  Again, false.  The truth is, I like to have my lights perfect, just like everything else when it comes to Christmas.  I would prefer to have my tree, with it's WHITE lights sitting in the window to show my festive spirit, than hanging a dozen strands of multi-colored mini lights around my porch railing.

Someday, when I don't have anything better to spend my money on, I will hire a professional.  Someone who will come, and bring a crew to decorate my house with lights. There will be the exact number of bulbs to line my roof, with nary a stray light to be seen.  It will all be done to my specifications, and my home will glow with Christmas cheer.  Until that time, I'll put a candle in the window. (Which I will explain in a post to come.)

*Thanks to Google for the image*

6 Lovely Scribbles to Me:

Cluttered Brain said...

I keep telling myself I have to get our tree up soon. I'll dig it out of the garage on Monday. My new project...Christmas decor...;)

* said...

This is the first year that I'm not bugging the life out of Ben to hang our white lights on the exterior of our home.

I don't know if I'm too busy writing & blogging here to care, or what. Either way, we still have our stockings hung & Christmas tree up, which is enough.

Some years, less is more. And a candle is a brilliant idea!

PS: Didn't realize you were a Christmas idealist/perfectionist?! :) Didn't we spend Christmas together in Barrio 9, Montevideo? We did!

Anonymous said...

I love lights but have the darndest time getting them up. I won't lie, I like the colored lights but I grew up with them so it feels natural and festive to me. I see the beauty in clear white lights though.

Diane said...

My angst is that people obviously hang their lights during the day and then when they are visible at night they look terrible. Need to be readjusted for maximum lovliness! :O)

Tonee said...

That's so hilarious! Brennan and I were just talking about outside lights! I was telling him how it seems most of our neighbors hang those perfectly straight lights on the outline of the roof, with no excess strands to be found (white too boot!). I asked him how they all do this because I remember most people from my childhood neighborhood just doing the messy lights (which I hate as well!). Well, don't feel bad I don't hang lights outside and never plan to. It's too much work, hassle, money, electricity, etc. etc. and those are all my REAL reasons for not doing it. I am satisfied to just have a lit up tree inside!

Lisa said...

I love Christmas lights. Of course, professional installation always looks better. We install our in the non professional way...Sorry...We were fortunate to have a house that was built with electrical outlets under the eaves. No lights trailing down the end of the house. We have colored bulbs on the outside for the kids, but I love the white lights on my tree.

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