Today, I initially planned to display pics of our lush and green Christmas tree, lovingly bedecked in our collection of painted glass ornaments (all of which have special meaning) as well as my very sparkly vintage tabletop tree, carefully decorated with atomic-era ornaments. That will have to wait.
I must confess to you upfront that our house is no longer my personal holiday wonderland, but rather, something out of "Eastbound and Down" or, actually, an episode of "A Jerry Springer Christmas." Before issuing any judgment one way or another, it is imperative that you know that I married Clark Griswold, for better or for worse. Beau loves Christmas more than anyone I know, and he truly believes that a Christmas without "fun" decorations (a.k.a. campy tchotchkes a go-go) is not a Christmas worth celebrating. He has truly longed for colorful lights and blow ups on the front lawn (to be put up by him whilst wearing his IU Santa cap...) for as long as I have known him.
This year, despite our agreement to go crazy with a fleet of white-lit grapevine deer, he unilaterally brought the Christmas cheer to our street. Duh, we are the only people in our entire neighborhood with a motorized blow up on the front lawn.
Without further ado:
Beau said that this snapshot includes Indie "for scale." The Santa is 7.5 feet tall and is lit up at night.
Marriage is all about compromise and, despite my utter visceral hatred of lawn blow ups at Christmas or any season, how can I deny my truly precious husband this one thrill? As he told me (using the teenage defense), "It is not like I am out gambling our money away or doing something shady..."
Please, if you pass by our house, enjoy the view, but don't tell Beau about it. It will only encourage him to add the reindeer to the roof that he is "saving" for next year.
More to come later...
Cheers!
JSH
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LOL! So very NOLA! Now all he needs is a fleet of crawfish for reindeer!
ReplyDeleteOf course this is the most amazing thing I've ever seen, and I cannot wait to take an in depth photo shoot with El Santa Grande when we visit in a couple weeks! Beau is Clarky G, which is of course why we love him! However, do not fret for long, Van Halen (aka, JG and I) will doubtless find a way to maim or destroy this lawn ornament during our stay!
ReplyDeleteWell, if it makes you feel any better my parents used to have a sleigh drawn by pink flamingos in front of our house during Christmas when we were in high school; this was fun getting picked up for the Miggy's dance. My Dad finally caved and purchased a blow up snow globe for my mother for this year. You aren't alone, I won't even tell you what sort of purchases were made from oriental trading(that I was not allowed to see prior) for our wedding!
ReplyDeleteI like how Indie is giving Santa the stink eye.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think a penguin or Santa's toy shop would be an excellent addition to the yard spread. And thank you, you used my favorite word in your blog --tchotchkes.
ReplyDeleteI have missed so many fabulous Gimlet posts this past week! Well, neighbor, I for one am glad you decorated - tchotchkes and all!!! I love driving around and spying everyone's decor!
ReplyDeleteWhat street? I want to do a drive by!
ReplyDeleteThat's why I love my precious son-in-law Beau (or should I change that to Bo) so much. It's nice to see simple unadulterated child-like glee over something in this world. Just keep it truly Christmas - no Winnie the Poohs or Donald Ducks pretending to be elves or Santa.
ReplyDelete