More Christmas Memories

Not only am I a big kid when it comes to Christmas, but I’m also like a magpie – if it’s shiny and sparkly, I love it. That goes for clothes, or jewelry, and especially Christmas lights. Some families go to something like “The Nutcracker” every year. Some families take a trip – or go skiing. My family drove around to look at Christmas lights. Forty-something years ago – you did not often find the elaborate light displays you can see today. Most families would put up a Christmas tree near a window facing the street and maybe a wreath. But, if you were lucky enough to find a house that actually had outside lights – it was all worth the drive.

We would discuss the houses we saw – what we liked – what we didn’t like. I remember going into some neighborhoods and being awed by the simplistic beauty of a wreath on the front door, lit by a spotlight. Or my FAVORITE – someone had “wrapped” their front door like a big present. There was one family, way back when, that had outlined every single edge on their house with blue lights. That was the most impressive thing I had ever seen. Every window, every corner, every line on the roof – all in blue. It was breath-taking!

A few years later, the trend was electric candles in the window. Every home with those candles looked so warm and inviting. And eventually – there came the icicle lights. I thought those were the coolest! The trends continue – LED lights, big inflatable sculptures for the yard, applications that allow you to sync the display with music – every year it seems that there are bigger and better things to make your yard and house a wondrous display of lights and Christmas décor.

I still love to drive around and look at lights. I have discovered that the best lights are most likely NOT going to be in the higher income neighborhoods. I will “oooh” and “aaah” with the best of them – over lights that flash or are excessive. And yet, I still love something simple – like a beautiful wreath with a spotlight.

And this does tie into my weight loss journey. There are always going to be new trends – new fads – new diets. What was absolute gospel last year (or even last week) might be the worst thing you can do today. Sometimes, the simple thing is the best thing. Eat less – eat what is good for you – drink lots of water. Making progress!