Nothing gets me into the Holiday Spirit quite like seeing beautiful Christmas lights, Modern Philosophers.
When I lived in Brooklyn, I loved to walk down to Shore Road, which was where all the rich people lived, and gawk at the amazing displays of Christmas lights they’d have their employees put up on the houses.
Even in California, where it never quite felt like Christmas, J and I would drive around in search of Christmas lights to remind us of what we were missing back in Brooklyn.
So tonight I decided to combine my need for exercise with my desire to see Christmas lights, and wander my neighborhood in search of color and Holiday joy. I brought my camera with me so you could be a part of the fun.
These first two houses were about a block away from The House on the Hill. I was disappointed that so few homes were decorated for the Holiday.
I knew that I was going to have to go deeper into the heart of town to find the lights that I so desperately needed to see.
Just joking. This is my next door neighbors’ house. They did a wonderful job of making their front porch look very welcoming to Santa Claus and carolers.
Now, for my journey deeper into the neighborhood…
I was not finding anything at all, Modern Philosophers, so I considered calling it a night and heading back to The House on the Hill.
But I decided to go a couple of more blocks, and that’s when I hit the jackpot…
I took so many photos of this house on Silk Street that the homeowner and neighbors probably called the police on me.
This was exactly for what I’d been searching. It was like Christmas in Brooklyn, only without the rumors that the home owners were in the Mafia!
Isn’t it gorgeous, Modern Philosophers? I’d hate to have to pay that electric bill.
There was even an inflatable helicopter just to the left of the front steps. Amazing!
There’s no way in the world I’d have to patience to set up all those lights, but I am very grateful that the people who live in this house did.
Discovering this place made my night, and filled my heart with the Christmas Spirit!
What about you, Modern Philosophers? Are you fans of Holiday lights? Do you put them up on your house? Do you go around the neighborhood to check out what your neighbors have done?
Thanks for joining me on this little tour of the neighborhood. It was a lot more fun having you guys with me for company!
The Return of the Modern Philosopher 
I love Christmas lights! The naysayers that think anything than all-clear, icicle lights are ugly just don’t get it. It’s an instant smile when I see displays like these.
The apartment up the hill from me has a bunch of inflatables out (we’re townhouse-style). I may try to get a picture soon.
Maybe next year you should decorate The House on the Hill?
No point in decorating the place when it’s only me. I don’t even put up a tree. I won’t get any presents this year, so there’s no need for a tree…
I get that, and am in the same situation, but I guess I view outside lights a little differently.
Of course, that said, I haven’t even done that. Do as I say, that kind of thing.
🙂
I like holiday light displays. Some of the extreme, computer controlled, airport runway light bright, displays are, too over the top, for me. The walk reminded me of displays from childhood.
It was fun. Made me think of Brooklyn…
I too love Christmas lights. I don’t put up any, because I’m broke. But I love looking! You should put up lights next year Austin. Outside lights are not for you, they are for people like you who love to look at them. 🙂
I’ll see what I can do. 🙂
Good man! 🙂
🙂
That’s a winner, winner, chicken parm dinner, that house there, Austin. Beautiful display. I love Christmas lights on other people’s houses. I don’t want to put them up, take them down, or pay the extra on my bill. Karen and I don’t even put up a big tree. She has a little ornamental favorite she puts out in the house. Last year we got hopped up for a live spruce on our side porch, and I decorated it with ornaments the kids gave us. But when I transplanted it in our backyard in the spring it died. Sigh.
Sorry to hear about the tree.
Glad you enjoyed the lights!
love the way people go all out. Here in Australia we have some MAJOR competitions; in some places with huge prizes…so people go nuts over doing it. The ones I love are the elegant, with touch of sophisticated look and some ingenious thinking on behalf of the designer.
Next year or even now just put up some across your porch. it will make people think your house is welcoming NOT the house on the hill with all its comedic value.
Maybe I enjoy living in the dark… 🙂
We take the lights pretty simply here, and just decorate strands on two of the large bushes out front, and set them on automatic timers, so that we don’t have to go out to turn them on, or off, or even look at them, because it’s cold out there and we’re inside here.
You are still lighting up the world in your own tiny way. Happy Holidays! 🙂
I am in love with Christmas in every way and seeing spectacular light displays on houses always gives me the fuzzies 🙂
Awww. I’m glad I could help give you the fuzzies. 🙂
Hi, Austin, nice post, nice quest.
Down here in Bonita (Springs, FL), there’s a farm that does over 3 million lights every December and raises money for local charities. Free admission, but donations are accepted.
Here’s a YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvOhmzBFyCk
(The audio is pretty bad, but the video is cool.)
Or just Google “Flesher Farm Christmas Display.”
Then maybe next December you can work out a way to pay us a visit. Maybe?
I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the link! 🙂
I always check out the lights when I walk the boys, JJ and Benny. Its fun. My favorite this year is my neighbor with the palm trees (yes, a small version grows in the Pacific NW) put Santa and reindeer costumes on his plastic flamingos.
Sounds wonderful!