Christmas Lights

December 5 - Outdoor Decorations
Did people in your neighborhood decorate with lights?
Did some people really go “all out” when decorating?

The Christmas light displays in our neighborhood were simple. We ran a string of lights across the front of the house. Some neighbors had lights on pine trees in the yard but the teenagers would steal bulbs and smash them in the street so they didn't last long. If you wanted lights you had to decorate early and the lights would remain up until at least March. Dad had a set of hooks on the house and it took him very little time to put them up. Ours didn't all go out if one bulb went but some of the neighbors did and when that happened their lights were done for the season. We used to take evening drives to look at the lights in other neighborhoods.

February 1966, shortly after the blizzard

When we lived in Western NY we would go to Niagara Falls every year for the Festival of Lights. On the way we passed by one house mansion, in Clarence, NY, that was completely outlined in white lights along with the row of pines leading down the driveway that we thought was amazing. When we got to The Falls we'd drive around and look at the lights. Then we'd park and walk around the area near the park because I loved the Oxylights. I don't know quite how to describe it. The entire nine story building was lit up and the lights were synchronized to Christmas music. I've seen the videos of houses with huge light displays set to music but this was very different and I found it mesmorizing. I hate being out in the cold but my kids were always ready to move on before I was. I was disappointed to find this article from last year:

During the now-defunct A Festival of Lights, the entire south side of the glass building was used as the stage for the spectacular “OxyLights,” a display of moving lights and music.

These days we don't do any outdoor decorating. A few of my neighbors do a few lights and those inflatable yard decorations are all over the place. I like the look of icicle lights, especially on some of the old Victorian houses. We do drive through the Lights on the Lake display every few years. Here's a video I found on youtube from last year.






An Advent Calendar count down
to Christmas!

Who else is participating?

Visit Thomas at
Destination: Austin Family
and get the details!

Letters to Santa - 1931

The Syracuse Herald, December 24, 1931, pg 5

Dear Santa Claus:
Is it very cold in the North Pole? I would like to know whether you are coming in an airplane this year?

I was a very good boy since last year. I am nine years old. I am in the fourth grade.

Will you please bring me a sled? I am not asking for too much because times are hard this year.

Yours truly,
LEON

Dear Santa:
How are you feeling this Christmas? I hope you are feeling well.

I am a little girl nine years of age and in the fourth grade. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and have helped mother a lot. I would like for Christmas a few dresses. One for best and a couple for school. I would like a nice ring and a pair of ice skates, too. Think that’s all I really need except a pair of skating knickers to go with my skates. I think I will close now.

Your little friend,
RUTH CLARK

Dear Santa Claus:

How are you getting along at the North Pole? Is it very cold up there? How are your toys getting along? When are you coming down the chimney? I wonder if you like to tell what I want, but first I want to tell you something.

I am a little girl 8 years of age. I would like a doll carriage with a doll. I have not anymore to write, so will close my letter.
Your truly,
GERTRUDE

Dear Santa Claus:

Is it very cold at the North Pole? How are you feeling this Christmas? I am in the four one grade, and I am nine years. I am a boy. I have been good this year. Dear Santa would you bring me a train, boat, stamps and an airplane?

Yours truly,
SEYMOUR BLOCK

Dear Santa Claus:

I am twelve years old and in the eighth grade. My father died two years ago. Nobody is working in my family. My brother goes to school and my sister use to work and she helped us a great deal. My brother, mother and my sister would be very thankful if you would send us some food for Christmas dinner. When we go to church we will say a prayer for you. Please help us for we have no one to depend on except you.

Thanking you,
JENNIE SMITH

Dear Santa Claus,

How are you? I am just fine. How is your RainDears? I hear you are coming soon! I want a doll trunk for my doll and a coat for my doll and some dresses to? Love to Santa from JOYCE BRAINARD

I am 7 years old.

Dear Santa Claus:

Christmas will soon be here. I am going to have a Christmas tree, and I am going to have electric lights on the Christmas tree

Now I am going to tell what I want. I want a Christmas stocking, doll, cooking set and box of crayons.

Yours, truly,
MADELINE WARREN

Dear Santa Claus:

I just can’t wait until Christmas comes. Oh! I want many things I’ve tried to be a good girl I am eight and one half years old. Mother said that I was a very nice girl.

Dear Santa, will you please bring me a doll, horn, train, and a doll house?

Yours truly
BETTY VICTOR

Dear Santa Claus:

How are you feeling? It is nearly Xmas and I thought I would write you a letter.

I am a little girl eight years old. I have been a pretty good girl this year. I wonder if you could bring me a pretty doll.

Yours truly
NORMA

Dear Santa:

Are you coming very soon? Do you have any Christmas trees where you live? Is it very cold where you live? It is going to snow here pretty soon. Are you coming with an airplane or your reindeer?

I wish you would please bring me some toys. I would like an electric train, pair of ice skates, sled and some candy.

Yours truly,
HYMAN MILLER

Dear Santa,

Please give a blackboard, and some chalk and erasers. I want a desk and some story books and some coloring books. I want a pair of roller skates. I want some candy and some peanuts and some nuts. I want a stocking full of candy and a stocking full of toys and brings me pens and penholders. I want a play wristwatch and a pocket book with it. My sister Mary wants a pair of roller skates and a doll and a carriage and a blackboard and chalk and erasers. I want a electric stove. My sister Sue Anne wants a pair of learning skates. and a set of dishes and a coloring books with crayons and some story books. My sister Josephine wants some cloths and a ring and braclet. My sister Betty was a carriage and a box of handkerchiefs and a furniture set. My sister Pualine wants a little doll with a little carriage with it, and a little broom. I hope you bring all the toys that we want if you can. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am going to close now, for that’s all we want.

Your good girls,
FANNY DiTORO
MARY DiTORO
SUE ANNE DiTORO
JOSEPHINE DiTORO
BETTY ANNE KING
PAULINE DiTORO

Carnival of Genealogy - Wish Lists

Jasia has posted the 37th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy at CreativeGene and a great carnival it is! I think this was the most fun carnival to date! Santa certainly does have his work cut out for him. Thanks to Jasia and everyone who contributed.

And now for the Call for Submissions! The theme for the next edition of the COG will be: The New Millennium. Where were you when the year 2000 came around? How did you celebrate the New Year 2000... with friends? family? at a party? in a bunker? What were your thoughts, fears, and feelings about the new millennium? Can you believe it's been 8 years since then? Record your memories now for posterity!

The deadline for submissions will be December 15th. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Carnival of Genealogy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.