Christmas lights
Christmas has been over for a few weeks now and Im still driving around my town and seeing Christmas lights being displayed. I dont mind the pretty little white lights that I actually think could be appropriate for the winter season. I do mind the little colored blinking lights that should have been taken by now. I have been told, more than once, that Christmas lights can stay up for the entire month of January, not just December. Okay, if that is the case Im thinking that by February 1st, they should all be packed away in tangled balls for next December. Even worst than seeing Christmas lights this many weeks after the holiday has passed, is seeing the giant Santas and reindeer in peoples yards. One of my neighbors enjoys littering their entire yard and rooftop with tons of decorations for the season. I personally couldnt be paid enough money to put any of it on my property, but to each their own. This yard still displays a Santa, a reindeer, candy canes, North Pole signs and tons of other things that arent just for winter, they are all about Christmas. The most humorous part though is that they still have the giant sleigh on top of their roof lit up every single night. I cant even imagine what their phone bill is right now. I am tempted to take all of it down and put it on their front porch.
Why do people leave Christmas lights and decorations up? Is it laziness? Is it that they believe that until a certain date it is acceptable? I cant answer that. I know that on New Years Day, my household takes down and puts away all of the Christmas decorations. All of the Christmas lights get taken down and put away as well. I decorate for winter with snowmen and décor around my house. I wish that my neighbors would get the hints. I do leave my white candles in my windows until the winter is drawing to an end. There is nothing prettier than snow falling and seeing the soft glow of candles from the windows of houses. Plus, it makes for a great nightlight in some of the rooms an added bonus in my household. My toddler loves when I leave hers on until I go to bed. She thinks it is the most wonderful thing in the world.
If youre one of those people out there who hasnt put away your Christmas lights or decorations, do your neighbors a favor and pack them up. Maybe you think that it is acceptable for Santa and the season to hang around until Valentines Day, but that doesnt mean that everyone around you shares that opinion. Save some money on your electric bill. Use the extra money to be some less tacky Christmas lights and decorations for the next time Christmas rolls around.
