I’ve been waiting to put up this post for a while now because the ghetto isn’t as over-inflated and garishly lighted this year as it usually is. Personally, I blame the election. So I’ve been waiting for all the usual crap to go up, but it just isn’t happening as much this year as usual. No that I’m complaining. My sister, who lives in a normal neighborhood, and others I’ve spoken to have made the same observation.
My hood is made up of what we used to call cracker box houses. I have a feeling that term may be on THE WORD LIST with words like “retarded” these days, but I digress. Most of the houses are bit dilapidated with cheap siding covering God knows what. But no one has ever been stopped from putting lipstick on a pig.
My street ends into another cross street which is more of the same. So there is one house that you see straight ahead when driving northward on mine. That is where the Griswolds live. I’m sure astronauts make fun of it. It’s up in full effect this year which means all day long the lawn is littered with so many deflated inflatables. Then at night it lights up and perks up so that we can see the candy cane arches that cover the driveway. It is bigger every year. Banjo barks at the house until it is out of sight when we walk past it. We haven’t walked past it yet this year and my not because the forecast here in the ATL is “drizzle for the foreseeable future that may freeze at night.” Bah humbug.
As for my decorating, I finally found the thingy that goes over the top of the door to hang my wreath on. The wreath was conveniently in the hallway waiting to be put away from last year, or perhaps the year before. Today may be the day it goes up. Or not.
So are you the neighborhood Griswolds? It’s okay. I was chatting with Phaedra’s soon to be ex neighbor the other day and she told me Phaedra is using those As Seen On TV lights that you stick in your yard that make it look like it is snowing on your house. Then she confessed she had them too. Those things may make standing outside on a ladder in the snow stringing lights obsolete.
So how tacky, or dignified are you? When I grow up and get a real house, I’m going to be just like Fredrik Eklund. You should really follow him on Instagram. He’s a really good writer as well as a fabulous photographer. It’s a happy place on the mean streets of the Internet.
I must confess, this year because my husband and I are getting older and the kids are out of the house, we bought two sets of the lights that you mentioned above. However, we sprung for the competitors brand that comes with remote controls and motion. They really are quite cool and the house does look good if I say so myself.
I haven’t actually seen any myself, but the people who have bought them seem to really like them.
I feel like Banjo knows I am talking about a Christmas walk. We may have to try it later. I’m just worried he is going to be overly excited and pull on me, Which is a no go right now.
I have a village that this year took over my entire dining room complete with every accessory imaginable, 4 other smaller villages in my sunroom and my office, 3 trees, 1 8 foot and the rest 4 footers all in different color schemes (I like to do all burgundy with a little gold for example or all white or all purple – lights and ornaments) Outdoor lights all around the eaves of the house and both carports. Various skating ponds that both have moving skaters, 3 large merry go rounds that all move (I have every day vintage merry go rounds that don’t move that I keep up all year) , double ferris wheel, toy cup ride like at the carnival that all the tea cups spin, a moving train set that is a collectors item by Mr Christmas (lots of my moving items are Mr Christmas brand, the villages are all Lemax) a balloon ride and a parachute drop all moving. I’m already making a list for the day after Christmas to add to my villages and collectibles as well as a new larger layout for my large village scene
The only people that see it all are myself or course and friends that stop by but this year my neighbors all noticed the lights from outside and wanted to come in and see it all setup.
Marilyn
This sounds wonderful! I’m picturing a house the size of LVP’s Villa Rosa with everything lit up and moving. Yay!
Thanks – it is nice to get up and plug it all in – just festive and nice to look at even if it is just me. I used to go all out when the kids were little then the grandkids came so I did it up too. When I relocated 10 years ago across the country I put alot of things in storage for the first year till I settled into a house vs an apartment with no room for anything. The day I was moving into my new house the movers came and started unloading the storage unit and I noticed with horror that every bit of my christmas decorations from the last 20 plus years was nowhere to be found. Ugh the idiots in my old town apparently forgot to do a pass through in the basement and get any of it. So my tree was gone, all of my ornaments and my hand painted (by me) ceramic village … all gone. It’s taken me this long to build up my collection again. Last year after christmas I was looking on craigslist and noticed a guy about an hours drive had a massive amount of Lemax and Dept 56 for sale. I drove there and about fainted when he opened his two car garage and it was filled to the brim top to bottom and side to side with it all. lol I filled up my car trunk, back seat and passenger seat and made two trips full. 5.00 each piece but well worth an average of probably 60 dollars each piece after I came home and cataloged it all and started looking up the prices I ended up with a total of over 7 grand in all – paid less than 500 for everything.
I used to put out my Department 56 North Pole village. But while I won’t get rid of them, I haven’t put them up in a while.
I’m not even putting up my tree this year (as I didn’t last year). I go to my folks, and so I can drink, I spend the night Christmas Eve. Because we’ll have company this year, I’m going over even earlier to avoid the traffic and start cooking so we won’t have to do too much Christmas Eve.
I HAVE helped my folks decorate their house though. Usually it isn’t too hard as my mom takes pictures every year of the decorations, then prints them out on paper, and puts them in the box they go in (so dining room sideboard stuff goes into one box, with picture on top. Kitchen window, same thing, etc.
This year though there is a puppy in the house so nothing is going on the low windows, or the lower coffee tables for that matter!
We host Christmas Eve, so the lights do go up outside. Not sure we’ll do the blow up santa and rudolph – the puppy poops where that goes up and it would probably scare him.
Oh, I do bust out some christmas dishes. Drink my weekend coffee out of my Spode mug, and my wine out of the spode wine glass.
My husband and I bought them too. I have always had to practically beg him to decorate the outside of our house. Miraculously this year he’s all excited but it’s because of our 3 year old grandson. Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays!
I have a pitiful Charlie Brown Christmas tree I bought a few years ago, but I don’t even want to be bothered with it this year. I’m not even bothering to go anywhere Christmas Eve or day. Two days of pajamas. Gotta love it.
If I had the money, I would be the Griswold house. As it is, I have lights up on the house, and a decorated tree, but that’s it. I’ve had a rough month so I haven’t exactly felt like doing all the decorating.
Normally, I have a village, garland, cotton snow, candles, all sorts of stuff that goes up the first week of December. Oh well… next year, I guess.
Lovely picture and I have the star lighter thingy too but I got the cheap one with no remote or motion. Shame. If I remeber correctly Tamara you own you house? Thats a huge accomplishment that most people will never experience in this lifetime. Alot of these homes are so expensive these folks will still be paying on their mortgage with their social security checks. Id rather own as comfortable home and spend my days chilling and traveling rather than working to pay for a home that I will never pay off in this lifetime.
Yes, Ooopsey. That has always been my philosophy. But I’m a nomad by birth and have never lived in one place this long. I’ve had itchy feet for years. I just need to pare WAY down before moving on again. There is a saying that we keep stuff in closets and cupboards that we should really just get rid of. My attic alone… is overwhelming. I’m actually considering moving out with just the necessities and hiring one of those estate auctioners to handle what remains. That way I won’t be taking everything back. I am horrible at garage sales, when people want to buy my stuff, it make me want it again.
In other news, Banjo and I set out on a walk to the Griswolds, but they were still deflated and the driveway was empty. The hardworking folks were not home from work yet. So I had to extend the walk to the street behind. I swear, it gets more Griswoldy every year. So Banjo got his walk and we are both less grinchy.
It’s always fun to look back at the previous year’s Christmas stuff.
Some things never change, and one of those things is TeeCee. lol.
http://tamaratattles.com/2015/12/24/merry-christmas-2/
For the first time in 10 plus years I busted out the Dept. 56 houses. I collected the North Pole village. I have young kids and so I finally got them out at a year I figure they may not break them. 31 house lined up on my bookcases. Snow, figurines and Christmas trees. It is so much work but it is so pretty.
I have been wanting a fireplace and so I built one of those faux ones on like on Pinterest. It is really cool. I have a mantel!!!! So we hung stockings and went and got our tree (live but not cut down by us. Maybe next year).
Then outside…..well I have one of those lights that shine on a disco ball and it makes it look like white dots of snow are falling (sounds crazy), but I realized you can’t see it when you are driving only if you were walking on the street or hanging out in my driveway. So I moved that to the backyard and the kids blow up santa is in the front. I leave him blown up all day too because I hate the look of the “dead bodies” lying on everyone lawns during the day. LOL!
I have North Pole too!!! I’ve not added to it for years, and probably haven’t gotten it out in 3. I don’t host anything around Christmas time anymore, so it seems silly to get it out for just me. Plus I ran out of room for it in my somewhat tiny living room.
I’ve been contemplating doing some work on my place that I’ve been putting off and getting it ready for sale. If I get a better layout of entertaining space, I will bust out the village again and have people over again.
Yes, it is so true, you need a reason to put those houses out. It is very festive and so magical to look at though. Hope you get to enjoy them soon and have a big party!
I almost splurged and bought those cool lights at FULL PRICE, because I saw them on someone’s house and it was really beautiful. Then my inner grinch reminded me they will be on sale and I can wait until next year. I have done a pared down Christmas with only my favorite things which has made me happy in my house and allowed me to only get in a minor snit with my kids for not helping. AND, I also have a Griswold house right down the street, so all bases are covered! It does seem like a muted holiday season, for whatever reason. I hope you are all able to enjoy it in whatever way you choose to do so!
Hey-haven’t had Xmas tree, etc for at least 25 years, but it’s all good. With no kids and a hub who despises holidays, it works out for the best. Last tree my two kitties kept knocking it down, so that was it for us. My avatar is LEO one of those kitties who is 27 now ?
This year, like for a lot (most?) of us, it has been a shitty, craptastic year. Right now I’m in a good place and can see all of the blessings I do have and I’m finally mature enough to not take them for granted.
Last night I had my OWN Xmas and saw Donny & Marie Osmond’s Christmas concert. Concert was meh, waaaaaaaay too “Las Vegas” for me, but I’ve loved Donny for over 45 years, the concert was less than 10 miles from my home…I mean I couldn’t NOT go, amirite? At least he sang “Puppy Love” and I could be 12 again for a few seconds ?
Happy Holidays my dear TT and everyone here. You all have helped me stay sane and laugh more than you’ll ever know.
Peace and love ?
Our neighbors are totally the Griswolds. There is not one uncovered inch on their home. It’s so awful that it’s fabulous. They have a stuffed Rudolph on the front lawn that my dog tries to hump every morning when we walk by! ”’Tis the season!
I will be completely honest, ALWAYS I’ve wanted a tree with a theme in my living room, a much smaller one in the kitchen with it’s own little theme and one in my (last of 3) child’s room with a way over the top girly pink theme. Never have had more than one though. I love Christmas and all the decorations and lights. My precious mother in law passed away 12/8 and I didn’t want to do a lot of decorating to only have up for less than three weeks. I didn’t even do a tree. I promise I didn’t mention this to bring anyone down. What I want to say is that we were gifted four simply gorgeous Christmas related items in her rememberance. A very nice wreath, a lovely white church that lights up and shows off these amazing, beautiful stained glass windows, a lantern that’s filled with pretty flowers and Christmas ribbons and a super cute red birdhouse. The last 3 may not be actual Christmas decorations just adorned so that they look and function as such. I personally love them. Next year I hope to make up for this year, especially with my decorations, as I said I REALLY, REALLY love decorating. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and I hope we all have a happy 2017!!
The part I love most about our decorations is the outside. My vision when we built was to have multi-color icicle lights lining the roof–even had outlets put in at the appropriate intervals. When the guy that does our lights came out he had to explain to me that due to the gutter guards my husband had installed, my vision was not going to happen. He also said it was a bad idea to just remove the gutter guards–pretty sure he was right. Anyways, he suggested using strands of multi-color LED lights and wrapping the huge oak tree in the middle of our front yard. He goes way up in the branches and it is stunning. Bonus is the neighbors and community love it too. My inside just can’t compete with a tree that size and that is ok by me. Merry Christmas y’all–we are headed out to look at lights ourselves!
This year I’ve seen houses light up for the holidays that usually don’t and overall more houses that are lit up. I suspect they are all Trump supporters trying to make Christmas great again. ???
We went out for a ‘quick’ drink with a friend that turned into 3 hours of cocktails. Just bought a hacksaw on the way home to saw the bottom two inches off a fresh tree. What could possibly go wrong?!?!
Great observation TT. Many folks have made some drastic changes in the way they celebrate christmas with “overthe top decorations.” I live in a middle class neighborhood , over the years, i will drive around with my kids admiring which house had the best christmas decorations. It was an exciting moment but its different this year, we are in ghost town mode. No invitations to community events. Maybe my invitations ” got missing in the mail.” Nevertheless, am looking forward to great things for 2017 ho! ho! ho!
I love the tacky over the top outdoor lights. That was always a favorite childhood memory of riding around looking at the lights. I used to put up a lot when I had a house but now at the condo there isn’t much space. Until a few days ago I was the only one to have lights besides the most. Now there are a couple of others. This neighborhood has a large variety of religions so generally is not many Christmas decorations anyway.
I had many indoor decorations from both grandparents. My tree is actually slightly older than me. The grand old silver tinsel tree with tree turner & color wheels(though they are not quite as old as tree). Definitely not for everyone but it is what I enjoy. There was a house on the news with a ton of lights & music. Their next door neighbors simply put up a sign in lights that said – Ditto. [edited because, creepy.]
I don’t have kids I have dogs. I have a Pug and a Boston Terrier so I have a big tree that is entirely decorated with pug and BT ornaments and all the presents are wrapped in themed paper.
On my dining room table and buffet I have collected Danbury mint BT and Pug Christmas trees, snowmen, dogs, sleighs, anything imaginable and duplicates. My table is set with Boston Terrier Christmas plates and Pug china mugs.
My living room has anothe tree with more Boston Terrier ornaments and around it more BT boxes . The mantel has collectable PUg and Boston ornaments and nutcrackers w stockings hanging from it for the dogs and myself and my husband
And I have a small tree in my bedroom with more Boston and Pug ornaments and blue and purple laser shower lights on the ceiling
The outside of the house has laser lights and deer and trees and yes a few light up Boston terrier dogs
It may not be everyone cup of tea but it makes me really happy each time I turn it all on
As an avid dog lover….I think it sounds awesome!
I’m all for seeing people smile, so the Griswolds, a candle in the window, so many Christmas cookies you throw up sprinkles, I don’t care.
We have the star shower thingy it’s so much easier then stringing the lights around the house yes we chose convenience this year and to be frank I’ve been so busy at work I haven’t stop to enjoy this holiday time its weird. 6 days to go but I did bake all the rum pound cakes today to give as gifts every year before they were done and shipped by the 2nd week. Tis the season
Girl please. My wreath was on my front door hanging off my shiny, new door hanger in October! My tree was up not long after.
My downtown FLL condo is in a U shaped building and my floor to ceiling living room windows look out over the pool and lit up palm trees. It’s really quite beautiful.
Tonight is Santa Con and Las Olas is quite nuts. The boulevard is lit beautifully for the holidays.
My neighbors? I couldn’t afford a tree in their yard. They have professional companies come in with bucket trucks and tastefully light their 30 foot palm trees and 10,000 square foot houses.
We have a blow up Santa on the lanai.
People go crazy with lights where I live and last year (my first Christmas in this house) my house definitely looked like Scrooge lives there by comparison to everyone else. So this year I dove in and had a professional company put lights up on the roofline in front and I put lights on all of the front shrubs. I think it looks great and the little kids next door apparently love it, according to their dad.
No tree at my house this year, as I adopted two kittens in July who would destroy it in no time at all. Maybe next year if their manners are better. Instead, I decorated the mantle, the dining room table, and buffet. I wanted to do more but ran out of time before leaving yesterday for my sister’s. Fortunately, I get to help her with her tree and other decorations, so I’m not missing out on anything by not getting to it at home. However much you do or don’t do, I hope everyone enjoys their decorating and preparations.
I don’t put any decorations up outside just because I’m lazy. Now, I have a small child so this may change in the future but for now I’m the only “dark” house on the block.
A friend once said, “Nothing celebrates the spirit of Christmas more than a 6 foot inflatable Scooby Do on the front lawn”
I have just lights on outside, all white and some red, I try for a candy cane theme but with very few actual candy canes, more like a hint of it. I am known for tending to overdo things, but my house is small, so inside I have the 6 foot tree, a smaller tree, and a few vignettes. I decided this year to abolish red from the inside of the house, so it is mostly white, a bit of metallic, blue, tan, which matches better with the house. I love the look of it. Going with the type-A theme, I make cookies, make crafts, etc. I generally make myself crazy with it.
Those projection lights scream white trash. Inflatables will cast you as permanent trailer park. Hate me if you want.
Hey let’s not insult trailer parks lol I agree though I cannot stand those inflatable things. The LED strobe things …? Not my style but I guess they’d look ok.
Nomad, I like that better than the term my Dad used, he said I was born a “gypsy at heart” I’m down to 20 months to go till I can live where I want and move when I feel like it!!! Christmas is one tree the kids and grand kids decorated, that’s it and that’s fine! I’m kinda anti-holidays, too many family obligations for my liking. Everyone Enjoy your holiday and in 20 months, I’ll take what I want, leave what I don’t and finally live as I please!
Hey Jo, I hear ya! I have 30 months…Enjoy
Ha…I agree with Dee. Those projection lights are pretty awful and I can’t even talk about the inflatables. I wish that trend would just die already. No Griswolds in this neighborhood, but plenty of decorations. We have a few out. Fan of minimalism over here, yeah.
That thread from last year was too real. So many smarmy cotton-headed ninnymugginses, ugh.
Well, I actually dislike the decorations in the picture. Looks ostentatious to me. I prefer simple decorations both inside and outside. Really not into inflatables at all. I’m condo dweller so thankfully people can’t go crazy with decorations unless the association would shut it down! As a child my parents decorated with lights around the yard and bushes with 2 candles on our porch. There was a family around the corner who always stole a string of our lights each year until they finally where able to decorate their own house?! We always had a live tree with the same lights and ornaments every year. I kept it going until my daughter went to college than later it down each year until now I don’t do anything unless my family comes to Fl! Liberating☺
I adore Fredrik! His Christmas decorations gives me the warm and fuzzies. He gives a little narration and the whole thing sounds heavely. When he mentioned he could smell his tree my heart melted. lol. That is definitely my style of decorating. I have to say though, I will still take a drive through a neighborhood to see decorations Griswald style. Lol. It reminds me of how excited I was about Christmas as a little girl. I love all things Christmas!
LOL The Griswolds house. We have one in our tiny town and every year we look forward to seeing it lit up. It is the corner house on one of our streets with very few street lights, so it helps light the way for cars turning onto a much used side street with a deep ditch’s on either side. Although this year the car’s would turn into a huge snowbank on either side….So much snow….lol! Don’t know how they can afford the spinning hydro wheel that must go with it though…lol. Hydro up here in “Oh Canada..Ont”. is off the charts expensive at normal times, never mind the “holiday season.” It is the most beautiful house and really pretty to look at.. As for the rest of our town, the string of lights hung on eavestroughs and garages are the norm here. Although I don’t do Christmas for icky sad reasons, I live in a tiny town with a big Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas TT and all who blog here! xo
I saw this one house once where they decorated everything right on down to the grass! Yes the grass. Lol.
Beautiful picture 🙂 I actually have one of those reindeers in the picture – they are actually champagne-coloured and covered in glitter! I bought them at my favourite store – Åhléns.
I’m decorating atm, love hanging glitter garlands in the windows.
God Jul (or merry christmas) to you all 🙂
I’m happy with a tree and some lights around the window. When I was younger my Mom would go to extremes with holiday decorating, one year she had santa handing out Christmas cookies and and a pony in our front yard.
Now we have something called Bentleyville and it’s quite amazing..it kind of takes the pressure off of the rest of the city as far as decorating goes.
Here is my theory: the election and surrounding drama polarized people in such a way that they are either decorating in new and massively ridiculous ways, or nothing. Here in St Louis, we have either complete insanity Christmas or nothing.
One neighbor has such an excessively lit house the dogs stop, watch and pee for 10 mins, mesmerized by the show. I am grateful because they unload there on these cold days and are ready to go back inside sooner. The other neighbor, who had a literal candy cane wonderland, has zilch. Once this weather calms down we may put up some outdoor decorations. I am partial to those drippy icicle lights, so those will go up.
My mother did decorations indoors in the most lovely and excessive way. I cannot hope to match that. But in her memory, I did a wreath with the same little paper houses climbing up a hillside with the Nativity at the base of the hill. I lit that sucker with star LEDS (Battery and timer). AND NAILED IT TO THE WALL. That was a year ago, and all I do is change out the Nativity set for some flowers, or a fairy or one of my crocheted animals. Last week I put the Nativity in and instant holiday!
The (adult) kids want a real Christmas village/outdoor and indoor decorations plus Polish Christmas Eve meal (13 courses). The meal is not optional so husband and I are only promising that.
But really? I could do with just a tree and the meal.