Christmas decorations

[low_delta]

What's the deal with people putting up Christmas decorations in their yard or on their house? Why do we only do that for Christmas? OK, Halloween decorations are now a big deal, but that's a fairly recent custom. And there are a few Easter bunnies, but that's pretty much it for the other holidays, while Christmas has always been a big thing. Why? Why aren't there more Independence Day decorations? Like an inflatable Signing of the Declaration of Independence. Projected images of cupids floating across the front of your house, for Valentine's Day? Somebody's probably selling seven-foot turkey decorations, but it doesn't have quite the same feel as the lights on Christmas.

I think that's part of it - the lights. It's a very dark time of year. Christmas itself is within a few days of the shortest day of the year. We need those sparkly lights. By again, why Christmas? Why not keep them on through January, when it's still dark? Having Christmas lights on (or even up) after Christmas is considered tacky. Why? Do they suddenly turn ugly? If I went through the work of hanging strands of lights on my eaves, I'd turn them on all the damn time. Fourth of July? Heck yeah! Summer Solstice? Of course! Friends coming over? Party lights!

Just not the light-up Santa Claus, OK?

Comments

[mummm.livejournal.com]

If it makes you happy we keep up part of our lights at least through January... sometimes longer. It helps dispel the gloom for us. If others find it to be tacky... well the heck with them!

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess it would be tacky to leave up the very Christmasy things, like the plastic reindeer. But just lights, I don't see the problem.

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

My Christmas tree (undecorated) but with the lights still on it is lit and twinkling behind me.
:)

Ok...you refer to the outside...I would love to see decorations all year round though here in Spain people don't do a lot of outside decorating even at Christmas. The cities do, though, and I'd love to see lights at more than Christmas.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

There are people who leave Christmas decorations in their homes all year. I don't have a problem with that.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

Red, white and blue lights outside for independence day is a big thing here. BOO HISS on valentines lights though - REAL holidays only please. Decorative flags are a big deal as outside decoration here.

I am still experimenting with different types of solar lights, and have them up all year. Judgement be damned.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I guess blowing things up counts as our Fourth of July lights. But I bet you have more than enough of that too. People put flags up for Independence, Memorial and Veterans Days. But I don't recall seeing very much beyond that.

But solar lights aren't holiday decorations, they're garden accents.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Blowing shit up is popular here - too popular for my tastes.

Most houses have at least an american flag, some have a state flag as well, but they are separate from holiday flags. Flags for both holiday and non holiday hanging is a big industry here. I don't care for them, so I don't know what the draw is, but more people have them than don't. Seems like the more garish they are, the more they are desired.

I disagree with the accent statement, since solar lights come in some really bizarre pattern and color changing options. It is so hard to find ONLY WHITE, steady lights - at least around here. An accent enhances in my opinion, it does not take over or distract. ;D

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

OK, the lights are decorations that glow?

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

I suppose we can agree on that.

[smittenbyu]

he hehe... I consider the blow up figurines (santa, reindeer, etc) tacky no matter when! :P But lights? I refuse to call them Christmas lights - because it will only allow you to keep them during Christmas! I think for the reason you state they can be up through the winter (well, if it doesn't blow up the fuse or the electric bill - but we do live in an apartment and so it is not as much of an issue for us). I found out some people call them fairy lights? I like that.

Anyway, we had our string of lights up since Diwali - Oct 2017! :) They did go down mid January along with the tree. Per our custom I am supposed to light a lamp everyday at sunset. It's very calming (and before electricity that was done for practical reasons). Of course, I haven't done that in years - but you are right. We should keep festive lights on (at least in winter). It cheers one up!

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't argue about calling those things tacky! :-)

I also agree about not calling them Christmas lights. How can they be Christmas lights if they're still up?

Oh, Diwali. There's another reason to turn them on! Except that I don't really need a reason.