Online Christmas Magazine 2006

Outdoor Christmas Decorations Can Liven Up the Holiday Spirit

There are two kinds of people: the ones who can't wait till the first leaves start falling so they can finally don big coats, thick scarves, woolen hats and gloves and take long walks in the crisp cold air. They love it when fall turns to winter, and look forward to the first flakes of snow slowly twirling down from a vast grey sky.

They marvel at how beautiful everything looks when it's covered in a layer of fluffy white, and how snow is the world's greatest unifier: everything still looks like itself, but is all of a sudden pretty similar as well. These people (let's call them winter buffs) adore Christmas too: they revel in the romance of the holiday, and love nothing more than to share their joy with as many people as possible.

And then there's the other ones: summer fiends who get slightly depressed when the sun hides behind big clouds and the chills set in. They focus on their work instead, and hide indoors as much as possible. Some of them don't even like Christmas.

That's where outdoor decorations come in: whether you are a winter buff or a summer fiend, they irresistibly brighten up the darkest month of the year. Imagine a cold and dreary day in early December. You've just finished working and have to brave hellish traffic to get home.

There's some snow, and the roads are slippery. You are a bit worried, hoping you'll get home safely and without having to send your car to the body shop for expensive repairs. It takes you a while, but then finally you turn onto your street in a quiet part of town. And everywhere you look, there are twinkling lights, and a golden glow. You find your mood lifting - hey, life isn't all that bad after all, even if you had a crappy day at work and can't stand this weather. And is that a big reindeer on your neighbour's roof? All of a sudden you're laughing. God, that must have cost him a fortune!

There's no reason then to resist your children's pleas: why not put up some decorations of your own and make the kids and everybody else smile? Sure, you'll be doing exactly what everybody else is doing, but isn't that what the holiday season is for? To feel part of a greater whole, to feel for a while that you belong, and to share that feeling with as many people as possible?

You see the point, but are still not convinced? Then think about it differently. See, you don't have to put up exactly the same stuff as everyone else. Why not attempt to brighten up the mood of the neighbourhood by investing some serious creativity in your outdoors Christmas decorating project?

Just take some time to think about, and I'm sure you'll be able to come up with some novel ideas - or at least some novel ways to drape those lights in your tree.

Outdoor decorating doesn't need to be expensive either: you don't need ten Santa's on your roof (that would only confuse the kids anyway) or other fancy stuff. All you need is some light, and good intentions. Let's face it: who wouldn't want to spread the joy?å


© 2007 Online Christmas Magazine for Holiday Alliance.com.