Friday, November 21, 2008

My neighbors across the way love Christmas

Jumping the gun?

They must. Because they started decorating on All Saint's Day. First it was a wreath, then lighted garland round the door and living room window. Then a week later all the bushes got wrapped in Christmas lights. Tonight was the first night it didn't look incongruous, mainly because there was finally snow on the ground.

So far none of the other neighbors have followed suit. I figure they'll wait until after Thanksgiving. I still haven't decided what I'm doing yet. I don't really know how to do outdoor lights. There's an electrical outlet outside by my front door, but do I have to use a special kind of extension cord? I may just skip exterior lights altogether and go with a little electric candle in each window.

Can you see the pumpkins on their doorstep? I think that's a little obligatory nod towards Thanksgiving as they roar past it straight into December.

4 comments:

Just Me said...

Hmmm... If you decide to run outdoor lights, you should have a heavier-duty extension cord. The extension for your living room lamp isn't suitable. It should say on the labe whether it can be used outdoors.

Depending on distance, you might not need an extension cord. If you're running a little lighted garland around your doorframe in a similar fashion as your neighbor, the three or four feet of unlighted wire on a light string is probably sufficient.

I love love love the look of houses with a candle in each window. It looks very inviting.

A house I used to pass every day enroute to my old job started a countdown to Christmas in September. They had a huge painted plywood sign, XX "Days Until Christmas," faithfully changing the numbers every day.

Anonymous said...

I like the lit-up shrubs - as though they've all flowered electrically.

This sort of thing can be really tacky, mind. Round here we've been getting cartoon reindeer on roofs - not many, but you don't need many.

I'm with JM - candles in the window.

For you. Not for me.

Just Me said...

My lights last year made my house look like a taproom.

I'm definitely going with candles in the window. I'd love to get my mitts on a big, fat wreath for the front window if I can find a sturdy enough hanger.

Hotch Potchery said...

I am all about super tacky, very colorful Christmas decor. However, we do wait until after Thanksgiving. I so wanted a poinsettia today, but I can wait until Friday!