Falling in Love Over Christmas Lights

Yep, before I got married, when I'd first start talking to a guy, I'd make it a point to casually ask them what kind of holiday lights he preferred -- even if it was summer. I'd find a way to work it into the conversation: How do you feel about colored lights? Or perhaps white is more your style? What's that you say? You couldn't care less? Well, why don't you just pick one? Thanks.

From his answer, I quickly knew if there was any potential for long-range likeability. If his answer was white, he was a goner -- much too boring to ever be co-captain of my "Go Big or Go Home" holiday team. But if he said he liked colored lights, he was getting warmer. And then the clincher: What were his thoughts on my all-time favorite, the old-school Charlie Brown-style lights? You know, the throwback glass bulbs that get so hot they can shatter at the blink of an eye? (Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like first-degree burns and stitches, wouldn't you say?) If he had no objection to willingly creating a safety violation in his place of residence in the name of Christmas, I was sold.

Sound like a complete crazy person? I was. And although I consider myself to be a pretty fly-under-the-radar kind of gal most of the time, when it came time to decorate, my enthusiasm easily rivaled Clark W. Griswold. From my childhood home to the porches of my college apartments, I would go absolutely overboard with lights and decorations, talking my family and friends into my over-the-top style along the way. Lights outlining every doorway and window? Of course. Movable snowmen and carolers decorating the yard? You bet. A life size Santa and reindeer perched on the roof? Yes, please.

Then I met my own Clark W. Griswold, or "Captain Christmas," as I like to call my now-husband.

When we first got together back in 2004, the holiday season was still a few months away, but I had a sneaking suspicion he'd be a great addition to my decorating team. So one November morning, I laid it all on the table: After years of working with less-than-ideal decorating conditions, I finally had the perfect platform to create the out-of-this world Christmas display I'd always dreamed of. Bottom line: I wanted, nay needed, the little Cape Cod-style house that I was renting with my friends to be dripping in lights for the holiday season.

And would you believe it? That very next weekend, with Starbucks in hand, my roommates and I perched ourselves on the porch and watched in awe as he wrapped the entire perimeter of our yard and lined our stairway with bright, beautiful lights. He even climbed into our ancient maple tree and wrapped each and every branch. By the end of that afternoon, I knew that I had met my match.

Swoon. Christmas was our holiday.

But things are a bit different this year for Team Christmas. For the last six years, we have spent Christmas in four different tiny, one-bedroom apartments with no balconies to speak of and strict rules against hanging lights in the windows (stupid fire hazards). And now, while we wait to move into our new house -- complete with sprawling front staircase perfect for an outdoor light extravaganza -- it seems our yuletide creativity will be stifled for another season.

You'd think all these years without our dose of seasonal holiday cheer would be leaving us grumbling "Bah! Humbug!" But, as it turns out, there's more to Christmas than having the best and brightest yard on the block. (Novel idea, I know). Sure, we can't wait until our time comes to bust out the lifesize gingerbread houses and snow globes, but with all this extra time on our hands, we get to spend our days enjoying the season. And, better yet, each other.

Now, instead of driving through the Home Depot parking lot and giving the stink eye to the happy families purchasing the latest and greatest lawn ornaments, we've decided to be adult about our situation. We're going to spend this Christmas season focusing on a few alternative activities that we really love doing. Together. As a family. Like wrapping presents while Bing Crosby croons in the background. Or watching my top 12 favorite holiday flicks during the "12 Days of Christmas Movies" event we invented a few years back. Or, my personal favorite, cruising the neighborhood to get our fix of decoration eye candy (not to mention next year's competition). Either way, this year is going to be more about slowing down and enjoying ourselves.

At the risk of sounding like a complete cheeseball, the sight of a house covered in blinking lights will always melt my heart. And whether we have our own Christmas lights up or not, me and Captain Christmas will always have each other (and our beautiful new baby boy). Sure, we can't wait for next year to introduce the holiday dream team to our new neighbors with our tacky, gaudy, over-the-top decorating ways, but for now I'm happy watching my son make a finger-paint Christmas wreath out of red ribbon and glitter.

What can I say? Some girls like jewelry, others like designer shoes. But me, I've always loved a little twinkle. I'm just finding it in different places these days.

Not sold? Check out these stories dedicated to decorating your home for the holidays:
5 New Holiday Decor Favorites
Solar Christmas Lights Even the Griswolds Would Envy
All is Calm, All is Bright: Crazy Christmas Lights