Many traditions celebrate and honor light – Diwali, Hanukkah and Christmas readily come to mind. Since I was a child, winter lighting traditions have evolved in to more inclusive and more secular traditions – to bring light to a naturally dark time, at least in the northern hemisphere. Lights that chase darkness are my favorite tradition of the season. I love them whatever the reason and simply look forward to seeing the lights through my dashboard.

 Here is a bit of light nostalgia.

I reflect upon when I was a kid. We celebrated Christmas, more culturally than religiously, so that is my bias. The Christmas light bulbs were giant and of deeply saturated hues. If one went out, it was a task to determine the culprit. There were tennis ball-sized globe-shaped bulbs and candle-shaped bulbs as large as the candles on our dining room table.  I recall some had a snow-frosted appearance – oh so fancy to my eyes! All were giants by today’s standards. Or perhaps, things just seem larger in my recollections because I was such a little kid?

Stringing lights indoors or out was an all-hands-on deck effort.  While folks may have strung up outdoor lights on a late warm fall day, as I recall (again imperfectly) most did not light them until after Thanksgiving, many waiting until the week before Christmas or Christmas Eve itself.

Most lights went dark by or shortly after the New Year. During the energy crisis of the 70’s, outdoor residential light displays fell out of fashion somewhat and became less elaborate. Some carried on but limited the light displays to Christmas Eve and Christmas night.

When we lived in Alaska in the 90’s, there was a movement to light up the dark winter season beyond the holidays with little white lights. Ski trails, businesses, sign poles, homes were all lit up throughout the dark season. It was a community tradition in the Anchorage area that was readily embraced.

When we returned to the lower 48, holiday outdoor lighting was re-gaining its shine. But gawdy spectacular color was out. White lights were all the rage.  Carefully lit wreaths, electric and battery-operated window candle-style lights and icicle imitating styles of lights fell became de rigueur.  Nets of lights to highlight landscaping came into vogue as did outlining homes. Lights were added to forms such as deer and snowflakes. Blow-up lit displays gained traction. Now color seems to be making a comeback. Spotlights, up lights, and laser light displays that play upon the exteriors of buildings and homes (and ease the need to haul out a ladder to string lights) are becoming more common. Lights twinkle to the rhythm of music.

When I was growing up, Christmas Eve was THE night to see the lights. Many left their lights on all night long. Our family would pile into our VW bug and go for a long drive to view the lights.  We often ended up at Bearden’s – a local restaurant which had trains running on a track on a shelf around the perimeter of the dining room, just below the ceiling.  I loved seeing the lights, then watching the trains, sharing a cheeseburger, onion rings and getting my own milkshake or an ice cream float – root beer, orange, or Coke!

Upon our return home my second favorite tradition would be honored. Finally, the Christmas cookie tins would be opened! These dozens of varieties were made over the course of the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was an unbreakable rule that once baked and placed in their tins, the cookies were untouchable until Santa’s sample plate was placed out and then we could try one…or maybe two. The rest would fill platters for our Christmas gatherings with family and later years at our open house – a musical jam session my father would host late into Christmas nights that morphed into a gathering tradition my sister and her husband hosted for many more decades.

In an attempt to bring some light to the dark of this pandemic winter, some people are going all out on lighting this season.  I love it! Some communities in this region have added lights to trees or stars to the hillsides for passersby to enjoy. It brings a simple joy to my heart.

For best part for me still is a driving tour to see the lights – thank goodness an activity the pandemic cannot dim. From two geologists in one van with no deadlines and many well-lit vistas to enjoy, we wish you a happy Christmas if you celebrate, light in the darkness no matter and a happy new year to come.