Night Light in DuPont Washington

Here are a few photos from the lights on display around town.

MacAllistar Street

It strikes me a tad bit odd that there are so many secular displays in DuPont. Everything seems to have this vague mall food court display quality to it. When I was growing up we used to think the large plastic displays that illuminated from within were corny but when you compare them to the inflatable displays of today then they look down right quaint.

Nothing says Christmas more than “Made in China.”

The inflatable displays may provide some visible “pop” during the night but they lay flaccid during the day. Santa, face down in the daylight, brings to mind a drunken tramp sleeping it off; while deflated snow globes, igloos, and penguins (uh hem…the South Pole dwellers have what to do with Christmas?) bring to mind the Mylar dirigible that carried our imaginations, but not a “Balloon Boy”, and was eventually hacked into submission in some farmer’s field in Eastern Colorado. At their worst, they look like the pavement near Lover’s Lane littered with latex evidence of a busy Saturday night.

A few devout; or perhaps brave; or perhaps indignant homes chose to display a Crèche. Often it sits next to a snowman of wire and LED lights or it is tucked behind an inflatable Mickey Mouse in Santa hat. Personally, I am awaiting the melding of themes when I will see a nativity comprised of the characters from Winnie the Pooh. Imagine Eeyore displaced and looking on reverently, if not disaffected, and Pooh himself offering a gift of golden honey; while Christopher Robin, and his virgin bride, Tigger, look down lovingly at Piglet in swaddling clothes.

That is one way to have the kids come and adore Him.

If that bothers you then you can join me as I try to unravel the mystery of why there is a display of penguins drinking Mai-Tai under palm trees while an inflatable Santa in flip flops hangs loose over Hoffman Hill. Trust me, the melding of themes has begun when you notice a Santa dressed as Uncle Sam holding a banner that proclaims “God Bless America.”

I guess it is true about what people say: Kids born on Christmas get screwed. Their birth day seems to fall through the cracks.