Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Another Tradition-Hypocrisy

There is a tradition I forgot to talk about. That is, looking at Christmas lights. Everyone does it, whether it's an intentional trip or not. It hasn't always been something I liked to do. I was never satisfied, it had to be over top and perfectly executed in order to get my "approval". I hated it when people would put lights on the roof line but the strand would either run out, or there would be too much, and then the leftovers would stretch down to a bush or something... And don't get me started on the bushes...
That being said; ever since Sam has been old enough to enjoy and feel the magic of Christmas lights, I have managed to let my Christmas-light-pet-peeves go. Plus, I didn't want to voice my opinions about the bad light jobs and infect Sam with my scrooginess. Sam really likes the lights and he gets so excited. Even at his jaded age of eight. But last week as we drove home in the dark he said as he gazed out the window, "Mom, I wonder if some people think that the more lights they put on their house, the more presents they will get." HMMMM, DEEP.

Then on Saturday we saw this:


It's a tree, with ice all over it... They did it on purpose, and there are lights inside and outside the ice. I have to say the lights in this tree/ice sculpture have re-awoken my Christmas-light-pet-peeves. I really think the effect would be way better if the light strands had been evenly spaced around the tree with all the strands INSIDE the ice. Maybe they couldn't control where the ice went but come on, tape the lights to the trunk or something. To me, this just looks bad. Clever idea - but poorly executed. Here is another picture to help you see the ice better.


Ok, maybe I'm too picky. And I honestly can't say anything this year. (Or any other year for that matter.) We have two strands of lights and they are doubled up and only framing our door way. Half of one of the strands doesn't light up. And the strands are way too long so there is too much left over on both sides... I'm a Christmas light hypocrite. Here is a picture to prove my hypocrisy:

5 comments:

Jeanna said...

Harold spied that ice tree sculpture thingy last Saturday as well. He was mortified, saying something about it looking like a christmas light alien.

I like your hypocritic doorway, it's got charm written all over it.

Meg said...

that's the strangest thing.

Becky said...

I'm with you on the ice thing...if you're going to do it, do it right. Maybe this was an experiment and next year they will have learned and it will be perfect? Hopefully.

Jeanna is right, your doorway is charming...but, you're right you're a hypocrit. I'm sure most people are though.

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted an ice tree in my front yard. One can only dream.

Kathy said...

You guys; That ice thing is cool! But then I don't have to drive by it...

I have always enjoyed Christmas lights - of all kinds - and was so deflated when I found out one of the children I birthed could not stand Christmas lights (well, the driving around and looking at them) "This is the *dumbest* thing eva!!!" Wouldn't you know that same child as a senior in high school would be the one to beg and plead and insist that we put out more Christmas lights. He still didn't enjoy driving around looking at them but he did enjoy the competition. Thus just driving here and there he'd announce "We own them!" or "Poned!" By the way - the begged for icicle strands are starting to burn out! We have two "blank" spots on our roof line and it is driving me NUTS!