O Tannenbaum

Growing up on the East Coast, decorating for the holidays meant simple, tasteful, and clean. Every year, my mom would wish aloud that we would just decorate our Christmas tree in white lights only. She didn't win on that one (I insisted on multi-colored lights), but we did have white lights in the windows, white lights on the trees outside with a few red bows, and nothing else to sully the look.

Here are a list of things you would never, ever see at my house or in my neighborhood in New York:
1. Lights that blink, alternate, flutter, or do anything other than stay on steadily
2. Solid strings of non-white lights outside
3. Any figures, statues, figurines, inflatables in the yard or porch. No dancing candy canes, no inflatable Frosty the Snowman, etc.

In all the other Portland neighborhoods I've lived in before this one, there was an eclectic mix of holiday decorations. But nothing, nothing compares to what happens in our new neighborhood between Halloween and Christmas. It is a spectacle of inflatable Santas, giant snow globes, and dancing lights. Last year I admit to thinking it was a little tacky. But this year...no, this year I am INTO it. When the neighbors across the street put up their giant inflatable pumpkin before Halloween, I knew the Turkey was not far behind, to be followed by the Santa.

I am determined to get some good pictures this year. My neighborhood has some SERIOUS holiday spirit. If you want calm and tasteful, head down to University Park or Overlook. Portsmouth is all about the bright and flashy. My inner child leaps for joy.