Above: Nova Scotia ... One Town
Below: California ... One House
Don't get me wrong...I LOVE an abundance of lights and enthusiasm this time of year! I don't mean to take away from any of it... But our extended stay in the Maritimes opened my eyes this year...
When I heard Lunenburg would have 100 decorated trees in the center of town, I thought that was amazing! The ceremony was, in fact, heartfelt and very touching...I was glad to look out early in the morning and see the lights still burning before sunup. Each tree was decorated by an individual or a company...it was about community "togetherness"...
Last night, after the party, I asked Ken to drive around so I could photograph the decorations. This one house in my example is not unlike many we saw, and you can't even see up the driveway to the well-lit snowmen in multiples, and a life-sized Mr & Mrs Santa in the front window! I confess I did love it, but this isn't even in one of the wealthy neighborhoods around here...those rise to an entirely different level!
I don't want to take a moment of pleasure from these people who wish to entertain passers-by, and still feel the giddiness of childhood about preparing for the holidays! I'm not setting up a bandwagon to jump on... It's just something that perhaps I notice in myself...finding that less is more..."sincerity" rises to the top...it takes so little to make another's life a little better within the hour...
Allegorically, "Big" is far too difficult for one, alone, but "Little", paid forward, bit by bit, could change the world...
Amazing display. I have to say, I'm with the 'less is more' brigade, you can certainly have too much of a good thing. In fact over here, it's seen by many as rather tacky to go overboard with the exterior decorations. Well we are British after all and supposed to be a bit reserved about everything!
I so love that you expressed philosophically the experiential difference in these two approaches to decorations and the festive spirit. I like modest simplicity myself and have a handwoven decoration on our front door.
Well said Louise!! Definitely "Less is more"!! We have one house nearby that looks a bit like your California shot but they do it for charity and all the money goes to a great local cause - a different one each year. Some of the houses in my Close have lights outside but just a single strand across the front. It looks lovely as you drive into the Close.
Your narrative hits it on the head for me too. My favourite saying in all the world is: "Love isn't a big thing ... It's a million little things". I even had it made up in vinyl script and have it up on my study wall. I'll post it here one day soon. Lovely festive collage, BTW :)
i can't add much louise, you know i'm a less is more guy. but i do sort of understand the people who enjoy getting out and decorating their house, maybe even making the displays. the ones who pay someone else....a lot of landscaping companies do it... i don't get.
Beautifully said, Louise, and I wholeheartedly agree. So much of our culture is "wretched excess" and when you realize that on the first Christmas was lit only by the stars in the sky, it confirms my longing for simplicity.
I agree with your allegory. A young friend of mine is politically opposite me and she often appears so sad that things aren't the way she would like them to be. I say, rather than be sad, make one change, be a difference to one.
@danette Thanks for sharing that...I certainly can identify with what you're saying and (probably because I'm getting older and more outspoken...) I try to point out the simple things we're capable of doing when I get "the wringing of hands"... (It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness...E. Roosevelt...)
I totally agree with you, Louise, simplicity sometimes conveys much bigger and better things than does excess. Lunenburg is about community, that was why the tree-lighting was moving, the other . . .well. If it brings joy to those people to light up their house, I don't begrudge them. But I find my joy in more simple things.
I feel very the same . A day of reflection, gratitude and remembrance becomes more and more commercial and over exposed of decorations .
People who`s love this, please do , but I`m not going to compete you.
But like Ina always correct me : Once a year it`s permitted.
Weezi: we're on the same page today. There is a house nearby that I've wanted to photograph that is much like the ONE you've included from CA. I haven't yet but may still although you've delivered precisely my intended message beautifully. I'd only be joining the chorus.
I love the lights, too....I look at them as almost a pagan tradition to drive out darkness when the days are shorter. However, I completely agree that some people seem to believe that more is better, and they just overwhelm their front yards with kitschy decorations and an overabundance of items. We have a house like that in my neighborhood, too.....there are so many things out there that the good ones just get lost in the shuffle.
People who`s love this, please do , but I`m not going to compete you.
But like Ina always correct me : Once a year it`s permitted.
On a slightly different but very similar note, here is a link to a story my best friend shared with me today - hence the aforementioned same wavelength - that I vociferously ranted about, privately, with her. I think you'll understand perfectly!
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/english-pub-spends-1700-week-electricty-christmas-lights-n271611