Holiday Lights

Over the weekend, I plugged in our tree lights and only half of them worked. Cute W bought new ones and arrived home with lights that he hoped would “twinkle” gently. Alas, they blinked in a possibly-seizure-inducing manner. They were returned, and then he came home with lights that turned out to have white cords instead of green. Yikes, another trip. Finally, the tree was ready.

Besides the wreath, the front of our house is not festive at all. I just only seem to have the energy to make indoors festive. Plus, our house just isn’t pretty. We love the neighborhood, the inside is mostly good, but the outside? U-G-L-Y. So I think that we don’t feel like calling attention to it. I have fantasies about some sort of home show curbside makeover.  Then again, I have fantasies about a bathroom makeover and a yard makeover and closet makeovers. I guess I have a healthy fantasy life.

Anyway, I was looking for places to find fun holiday lights, and here’s what I came up with.

• Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park in Albany. This costs $15/car, but it is for charity.
• Light Up the Sky in Amsterdam costs $5/car and a friend (a thrilled, wreath-making friend) says it’s worth the drive from Schenectady. Her favorite part is that costumed characters will break into dance if you honk at them.
• Apple Blossom Way in Colonie is just a bunch of enthusiastic neighbors. My friend passed this along to us last year, and the link is one I found via All Over Albany.
• Quick Response Restoration in Clifton Park is having their annual Santa’s Playland on Saturday the 11th & 18th and Sunday the 12th from 5:30-9 pm. It’s free. I hear that this is very fun and crazy busy.

All Over Albany has asked for suggestions on good holiday lights neighborhoods, and they’ve gotten a couple of suggestions there as well.  Know of any good places? Let everyone know, please.