When I became older and more visual, I found less decorations more tasteful. Not only was I drawn to less, but also older. Over the years my camera would turn to the retro decorations, especially those faded and shopworn. The film elmusion has held up better than my memory...I can only guess where the photo above was taken.
Today's inflatables are not, in my opinion, camera worthy.
reprinted from previous years
My distain for the inflatables has only deepened. The gentleman on Union Street had to work...Lights, ladders, muscle power and storage. Today, the pile of inflatables is spread around, and the pump turned on. Even complaining about it takes more effort and creativity than required for those displays of vinyl future litter.
Nevertheless, even if you put up an inflatable, I wish you a Happy Holiday!
I think the one above is at St. Cloud and Fairview St. I agree with you about inflatables. I always enjoy the old multi-color lights of the 50's and 60's.
ReplyDeleteTom@11:25, you may well be correct. I recall photographing a house in that area. I also remember faded Santa Claus cutouts at ground level.
ReplyDeleteIf you drive on W. Union Street between St. Cloud and 24th streets, you’ll still see an impressive number of homes lit up for the holidays (particularly between 21st and 23rd Streets).
ReplyDeleteNone are over-the-top like the one you describe, but still a solid effort on the part of many.
One particular favorite features life-sized wooden cutouts of the Peanuts gang in a manger scene. I have no idea if these were originally purchased or if they were homemade, but they always bring a smile to my face.
As to the inflatables, like you I am more of a traditionalist when it comes to lights. However, I have come to appreciate the inflatables over the years. In particular, I remember a tight street in the Fountain Hill/Bethlehem area that used to put the large inflatables on their porch roofs. Combined with the fact that the homes were right up on the street, the scale was overwhelming and awe-inspiring, especially to kids.
And with yesterdays high winds, some might awake this morning to find they too have become the temporary custodians of an inflatable character or two.