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Lights, Trees, Let's Do It!

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Contributed by: Karin McGuire on 11/17/2007

Turning onto Lexington from Woodmen, I gasped. I wanted to believe differently, but as I passed the turnoff to King Soopers, I could see it was true...Christmas lights blinking on a rooftop.
I know my family's tradition strictly dictates lights and Christmas decorations are never to be put up until after Thanksgiving. That was usually because we lived in a remote ranching and mountainous area where everyone, and I mean EVERYONE would take a Sunday afternoon and go cut down a tree. The poor sapling would always turn dry before the 25th no matter how many gallons of water we poured into the tree stand. I think that's why we sometimes would have a Christmas tree for about five days. My mom just couldn't deal with having to vacuum up needles every day. Then we went to the artificial tree for about two years, but the five kids protested because it didn't smell like a tree afterall and that, of course, is the best part!
Well, I've switched to artificial trees much earlier than my mom and dad ever did. I have no excuse living in the days where I own a Roomba that will vacuum up my needles for me. My excuse? Trees can be a hassle! The sap, the spiders, the tree stand can make me wring my hands. Why is it the tree is never cut right or fits into the tree stand the very first time? I have always had to pull the thing out again after carefully screwing those hooks deep into the trunk.
After seeing those lights off of Lexington, I decided I'm going to do it! Not just for myself, but because tradition dictates it.
For me, Santa only came when my family bundled up and went for a drive on Christmas Eve to look at everyone's Christmas lights and the decorated trees you could see through the window. There's something that is elementary joy at its basic in looking at the lights blinking, some scrolling, some constant. Everyone's artistic side is revealed in how they decorate the tree, whether old fashioned popcorn and cranberries on a string, or the contemporary icicles and timed-to-music lights.
I saw the tree in its box when I pulled in the garage and I thought, "Let's do it!" It will be a pain-in-the you know what adjusting all 340 wires (branches) to get the fullness of the tree just right. I have to get the ladder out to bring down all the decorations, but it's almost a requirement if you have children or grandchildren, isn't it?
When we nicknamed my dad "Scrooge" later in his life, I remember thinking there was something really sad about not being able to enjoy all the hoopla. Yes, I know the "reason for the season" is not about a tree, the lights, or waiting for Santa, but I can think back to some wonderful times that happened during the Christmas season. My dad mysteriously began putting up a tree and buying gifts just before he passed away. Maybe he missed the magic.
I know the children walking by my house will probably not stop to appreciate how much time and effort it took to get that tree out of the garage. I hope though they feel a little happier when they see my lights and decorated tree. I hope their families create some memories and traditions this year. Hopefully they will look back on their Christmas memories some day and realize this world is a better place -because of Christmas lights.

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