Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas from Outerspace

Trying to recapture just a smidge of the holiday spirit that we felt as children, we have been doing a lot of driving around looking at Christmas lights.  My favorite part of residential displays is that everyone gets to embrace wacky tacky, if just for a season.  With few exceptions, there really is no such thing as a "tasteful" use of life-size reindeer and Santa legs sticking out of the chimney top.  Our street, a cul-de-sac with absolutely nothing to prove to passing motorists, has always been a bit lackluster when it comes to ostentatious light displays.  Nary an inflatable Grinch nor blow-mold snowman bedecks a single yard on our street (our house included).  Fortunately, there are plenty of neighborhoods around that aren't so resolutely "Bah, humbug!"

Even in neighborhoods resplendent with holiday cheer, there is always that one guy.  The one who takes things to a new level of fantastic, electricity-sucking light pollution that is so spectacular I'm almost positive that his contribution to yuletide excess can be seen from outer space!  

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Recently we went with our pals Emily and Jesse (Emily of The Silver Screen Affair fame) to check out a house in Hesperia, CA that has become such a tourist attraction that it makes the local news every year and even has its own website. 

Welcome to the winter wonderland;
this is only the beginning.

With at least an acre of land, this property boasts more light bulbs per square foot than Disneyland (according to my rough calculations).  What it might lack in Disney's finesse, it makes up for in colloquial charm...

When was the last time you saw Santa peeking from
behind the outhouse door looking for more toilet paper?

I don't know if they still do it, but my elementary school always had Santa
arrive in a helicopter the day before we left for vacation.  This light fixture
left me feeling a little nostalgic.

One of the tunnels of lights

Pink flamingoes, palm trees, and a ribbon.

The Peanuts Gang

Despite the popular verse, I was indeed able to catch
The Gingerbread Man!

I hope so!
A bit of patriotism amid the Christmas splendor

A winter fountain

I like this part of the decor best not only due to its large scale (Mary is 6' tall to give you some perspective), moreso
because in a world plagued by hatred, war, and natural disaster, the simple message of "Peace on Earth" is one that I hope more people (myself included) will embrace through their words, behavior, and treatment of their fellow men.

Action shot!  ACE ON EAR indeed!

Every building on the property was used in show.
Straight from the North Pole, was that dynamic duo, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus

The real deal!

Mary & Emily on Santa's lap.
It looks like everyone's Christmas wish is coming true!


I love that, much like well-maintained yards and houses, a similar sense of homeowner pride is exhibited in the neighborhoods that adopt these over-the-top displays.  This was definitely the house with most extensive, elaborate display that we visited, but our encounters with extreme holiday showmanship were both frequent and far flung!

This maison of yuletide merriment had a working ski lift that carried elves and snowmen
to the top of the roof/slope and flailing legs of a skier stuck in a snowbank. 

I have a particular fondness for this house because it tried to appeal to EVERYONE.
Of course they hit the traditional marks with Santa's workshop and the Nativity. but do you also see
The Teletubbies, Woody, Winnie the Pooh, Bananas in Pajamas, and the stars of the Twilight Saga?

This house had a light spectacular that synchronized the lights with its own radio broadcast!

Have you seen any outrageous displays this season?
Are you "that guy/gal" with the out-of-this-word holiday lights?
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Here is one more wish that all of you wacky tacky turkey necks have a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and Happy New Year!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

8 comments:

  1. I love outrageous displays. All I do is decorate a tree.

    I'm such a curmudgeon that I see stuff like this and go, "Oh goodness! What must their electrical bill for December be like?"

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    1. I love the displays and am grateful that OTHER people are willing to put forth all the effort because I am not. Some of them look like a tremendous amount of labor and some look like a life's work - all impressive. I hope you have a greta holiday!

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  2. wow! i am CRYING over the one that includes both the bananas in pajamas and the twilight guys. incredible!
    the opryland hotel here goes all out and you can walk through it's bit atrium (it's HUGE) before you go see the rockettes. Also, George Jones lives close by and he is known for his big display every year. I didn't make it out to either this season, but have a million times before. I've been feeling very grinchy this year.

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    1. I was a major grinch last year but it's wearing off just in time for this year! I'm glad you got in the mood to decorate; I love seeing your gnomes, deer, etc. I hope you have a great day tomorrow!

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  3. Wha fun it was driving aaaallll they way out there to see such a fabulous display! It makes Chirstmas that much more fun. Cheers good friend!

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    1. Thanks for helping us get into the holiday spirit! It was a fun adventure! MERRY CHRISTMAS PAL!!!

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  4. Santa in spaaaaaaaaaaace! There is nothing NOT to love in all these snaps, omg. I need a set of pink flamingo light-up figures in my yard year-round.

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    1. The perfect year-round lawn ornaments!!!

      http://www.meijer.com/s/36-inch-crystal-starry-night-flamingo-christmas-decor-30-led-twinkling-lights/_/R-224374;jsessionid=3E3D73331972F72B622FD13EC42A53C1.instance02?cagpspn=pla&cmpid=Google_G_US_Meijer_eCom_PLA_Catchall_All_Products_Catchall&kpid=86297

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