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LouieChristmas Lights
December 21st 2007 07:02
Everyone has something to say about Christmas fashions: whether its summer frocks in the southern hemisphere or the latest Chanel boots where it’s cold, the world is saturated with parties and the applicable garments. I, personally, do not enjoy the summer Christmas as I think tans are tacky, I’m not that into seafood, I hate my face melting just because I turned my head, and I’m very fond of snow, seeing my breath in the air, quirky coats, tights and closed in shoes (feet are gross, guys, face it).
Regardless of where you are in the developed world, though, there is a Christmas trend that is all encompassing. I have never heard any use of the trend criticized, and furthermore, everyone can appreciate and understand it. I am speaking of the fundamental basic in Christmas life that demonstrates your jolly nature and Christmas spirit: Christmas lights.
Originally representing the star the three wise men were supposed to have followed, Christmas lights are now the tour de force of any festive cheer. The star moved from the top of the tree, to little orbs surrounding it, and somehow, like vines, snaked their way out the front, onto the front of the house and are now so overgrown, they’re hanging out of people’s front lawns. I blame National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for the excess in outdoor illumination.
First, I was just annoyed at the sudden proliferation in the non-white variety. I like classic stuff, and when “ice blue”, “tangerine” and “Mrs Claus’ mauve” started to be strung from rooftop to tree, I cringed a little. Next came the flashing. Now, in my books, flashing lights belong in clubs, and even then it feels a bit overbearing. When it’s right outside my bedroom window, I dream about having epileptic fits. The worst observation I’ve made is the inherent lack to even attempt a stylised application of lights. It’s looks like kids have toilet papered every house in suburbia, and at night it magically turns into brightness and colours, people morphing into moths and approaching slowly, saying “ooh, pretty!” I am critical, yes, but I can’t remember the last time someone actually took the time to make their lights less merry (read: garish), except for the person at the end of my road who actually hired a Christmas lights decorator (I don’t know where I stand on this kind of occupation). Excessive Christmas lights are proof of the commercialisation of Christmas, rarely representative of the spiritual origins of the holiday, or the enjoyment of family and friends. The worst aspect is how, after a green year where a great deal of attention has been paid to global warming, everyone puts their finger on the pause button for Christmas light madness, expecting the environment to slow down on the whole climate change thing for a couple of weeks.
If you are one of the glowing many, be nice to the environment and my eyes, and don’t put so many (ugly) lights up next year. If you must, only put them on in the few days surrounding Christmas. Sure, sparkly stuff can be pretty at Christmas, but nature is beautiful all year round. Plus the lack of style has resulted in people insisting on giant inflatable Santa’s, and moving blow-up carousels, which I just do not understand.
Chanel, stylish at Christmas in addition to all year round. Image from jupitercreative.co.uk
Regardless of where you are in the developed world, though, there is a Christmas trend that is all encompassing. I have never heard any use of the trend criticized, and furthermore, everyone can appreciate and understand it. I am speaking of the fundamental basic in Christmas life that demonstrates your jolly nature and Christmas spirit: Christmas lights.
Yowser. Image from planetchristmas.com
Originally representing the star the three wise men were supposed to have followed, Christmas lights are now the tour de force of any festive cheer. The star moved from the top of the tree, to little orbs surrounding it, and somehow, like vines, snaked their way out the front, onto the front of the house and are now so overgrown, they’re hanging out of people’s front lawns. I blame National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for the excess in outdoor illumination.
The Griswald House. Image from x-entertainment.com
First, I was just annoyed at the sudden proliferation in the non-white variety. I like classic stuff, and when “ice blue”, “tangerine” and “Mrs Claus’ mauve” started to be strung from rooftop to tree, I cringed a little. Next came the flashing. Now, in my books, flashing lights belong in clubs, and even then it feels a bit overbearing. When it’s right outside my bedroom window, I dream about having epileptic fits. The worst observation I’ve made is the inherent lack to even attempt a stylised application of lights. It’s looks like kids have toilet papered every house in suburbia, and at night it magically turns into brightness and colours, people morphing into moths and approaching slowly, saying “ooh, pretty!” I am critical, yes, but I can’t remember the last time someone actually took the time to make their lights less merry (read: garish), except for the person at the end of my road who actually hired a Christmas lights decorator (I don’t know where I stand on this kind of occupation). Excessive Christmas lights are proof of the commercialisation of Christmas, rarely representative of the spiritual origins of the holiday, or the enjoyment of family and friends. The worst aspect is how, after a green year where a great deal of attention has been paid to global warming, everyone puts their finger on the pause button for Christmas light madness, expecting the environment to slow down on the whole climate change thing for a couple of weeks.
The new Christmas Light Colour Brat Pack. Image from blog.scifi.com
If you are one of the glowing many, be nice to the environment and my eyes, and don’t put so many (ugly) lights up next year. If you must, only put them on in the few days surrounding Christmas. Sure, sparkly stuff can be pretty at Christmas, but nature is beautiful all year round. Plus the lack of style has resulted in people insisting on giant inflatable Santa’s, and moving blow-up carousels, which I just do not understand.
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