Today: My favorite day of the entire year!

Christmas has always been huge in my family, especially on my dad’s side. It’s been this way for generations. We decorate both inside and outside with so many lights, trees, and other decorations that there isn’t much space for anything else!

To some, this may seem materialistic, but honestly, I don’t consider it to be such. While we have lots of decorations and some Santa decor around, we aren’t into the consumerism of Christmas. There are plenty of nativities in each of our houses to remind us of the true meaning of the season. Also, I think it’s more about the feel the decorations give off. It’s a mood, from the evergreen tree and garlands, to the gingerbreads, nutcrackers, and lights, it’s all about color for me. There’s just something about strings of Christmas lights brightening up a room or a yard that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

A few weeks ago, I had to pick up some items at my sister’s house, and on my way over, I caught sight of some Christmas lights in a subdivision near her house. When I arrived at her house, in short, I asked if she was busy, she said no, and I told her to climb in the car.

For the next little while, we drove around several neighborhoods to drive by all the houses we could that had Christmas lights decorating them. They were beautiful. All the colors were great, and by the time we finished, I was even more in the Christmas mood.

Shortly after arriving home for Christmas, all of my family in town for the holiday loaded up in a few cars and drove around searching the small town where I grew up for the best lights we could find. While sometimes few and far between, the ones we spotted were so beautiful. My mom even had my three-year-old nephew chanting, “We want Christmas lights” over and over. It was so funny.

Like I said, it’s pretty much a family tradition to go a little overboard on Christmas decorations, and that includes the outside lights. Right now, I live in an apartment, and the way it’s set up, I can’t really decorate outside. Someday I’ll be able to decorate my yard with as many Christmas lights as I want. For now, I’ll enjoy my parents’ and grandpa’s yards.

They’re beautiful. Pictures don’t do them justice. People from all around town drive by both houses to see the lights. What makes it better, they live practically next door to one another. From Mom and Dad’s side yard, you can see Grandpa’s house and his back lights. I love going outside, walking all the way down the driveway, and staring at my parent’s Christmas lights, and it’s something I look forward to doing every year. They send pictures to all of us as they and my younger sister decorate the front and side yard with beautiful decorations.

These lights truly are a tradition, and I know so many people will be disappointed when these lights eventually go out with time. I know I will be, but I’ve taken every chance I can to treasure these scenes while I have the chance. Not only treasure them, but I continue the tradition in my own life. From decorating, to baking, to singing Christmas carols, Christmas will always be a large part of my life, thanks to those who have gone before me. It is a way to connect to the past and to continue those traditions into the future.

I love Christmas lights. They’re one of my most favorite decorations of all time. Who knew a few little lights could make someone smile and make their day?

Thus ends my Christmas post. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas (for those who celebrate it). If you don’t, I hope you at least got to enjoy the lights near you. Have a wonderful rest of this year, everyone. Please be safe and happy, and my you be blessed in all that you do.

-Heather