Christmas Light Craziness

This past weekend my family along with some friends went to visit a local neighborhood in Torrance bedecked in lights. A whole lot of 'em. Supposedly every year, the dozens and dozens of homes (seemingly try to out-do each other) attract people from all over. The local (and not so local) gawkers drive through the 'hood at the break-necking speed of about 7 mph - almost rivaling the speed of traffic on the 405.

We were lucky to be going with friends who lived within walking distance of this neighborhood. Although we didn't have to crawl --er, drive-- through the neighborhood in our cars, we did have to manuever the crowded sidewalks filled with other curious folks like us (and the sidewalks were not wide enough for two-way foot-traffic or strollers). Occassionally we would hear the toot of an antique car, loud Christmas tunes coming from random golf carts (yes, people would rent these vehicles just for this spectacle of lights), and the rumbling of pick-up trucks with bed-loaded teens. There was even a black stretch limo among the parade of cars.

If observing the lights and spectators got boring after awhile, one could find amusement in surveying the homeowners. Granted it was a Friday night, these people were hanging around outside (do they do this every night until Christmas?) and several homes were even selling hot chocolate, popcorn and other snacks. The temperature was probably in the mid- to upper-50's but the heat lamps and fire pits were out. Patio furniture had been temporarily relocated to the middle of driveways for crowd-watching comfort. One home had even moved their home theater to their driveway so that they could watch the crowds AND their movies on their 120" screen.

It was a fun experience to see a neighborhood come together and proudly display their Christmas lights, ferris wheels, mechanical dolls twisting and bending, nativity scenes, and large billboard-like signs. The people - residents and spectators alike - were super friendly and in great holiday cheer. Perhaps this will be a new Christmas tradition for us. Maybe next year, we'll even put on our full-fledge winter gear to get into the mood!