This year has been a whirlwind – launching Lookiloos, running a consulting business, the kids and soccer season… blah, blah, blah. The list goes on and on. It is already the first week of December and I am beginning to get holiday cards in the mail and Christmas lights are starting to light up the street. AACK! I am woefully behind this year.
While I was in line at Starbucks, two women in front of me were having a discussion about Holiday lights. One woman was adamant about how they were festive and key to setting the mood for the holidays. She had her lights up the day after Thanksgiving. The other woman argued that lights were a waste of energy – figuratively and literally. She said, "Think of how much energy we waste and money we spend on the lights. Money is tight this year, I am saving up the energy to provide heating in our house." Her friend joked that her companion was being a "grinch" and that "There are times to be green and times that it is just ridiculous." They then caught me eavesdropping, as I chuckled about that last comment.
I had not given the "green or not" issue much thought. I live on a street where every house has a mini front yard tree that we all light up with the same white lights. It arrives complete with directions on exactly where on the lawn it should be placed. It is kinda silly and kitschy. It is like Christmas Tree Lane times ten as the entire neighborhood gets involved. Regardless, I love looking at the lights and love that the entire 5 block radius gets into it. But I never stopped to think about how much energy we expend. It's been tradition. It's the holidays.
The expense for the lights doesn't seem to be much financially, but I get the argument. The "green" cash is tight everywhere. We all need to cut back some place. It is also probably a huge energy drain. Hey, maybe some smart person could come up with solar holiday lights that don't require plugging in or taking down! (A girl can hope can't she…)
I am feeling a little overwhelmed by the holidays already. I am doubtful we'll get holiday cards out on time this year or have a grand tree decorated with fancy ornaments; but we WILL put up the tree on the front lawn. My family and I will take our annual evening walk with hot cocoa in mugs to admire our neighbors festive natures – green or not.
We did it finally – we rearranged our tiny 2 bedroom house + office into a 3 bedroom home. Yes, that means the kids have their own rooms and I lost the extra office. Well actually, my husband lost his office and I gained a roomie in my garage office. Grrr…
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