Even a Grinch has to smile

Every December, our island experiences a dramatic change. Even the grinchiest Grinch has to smile. Thanksgiving is old news, and it's time for Christmas lights. I like to think of our community’s Christmas light displays as Florida snow. Sprinkles of white lights covering bushes snuggled up against a house are the closest we ever get to snow. Colorful lights are what make our tropical paradise look Christmassy.

Our island loves its holiday lights. Each year, we marvel at the lengths folks will go to create fanciful, lighted decorations in their yards. In recent years, inflatables have joined the holiday decorations. Entire neighborhoods coordinate elaborate displays. One legendary island neighborhood just off Citrona, N. Ridge Lane, offers the Rose Bowl parade of all neighborhood light displays. The entire neighborhood gets into the act, making the street a mini Disneyland.

We know the holidays are getting close when the Freeman Drilling Company erects its annual Christmas tree just off the island. Lights rain down from the extended drilling rig. The tall tree is visible for miles. The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island kicks off the season with the annual lighting of its 40-foot-tall tree with thousands of sparkling lights, fresh-baked cookies, Santa’s arrival, the unveiling of the lobby Gingerbread house, and a fireworks finale. A newer tradition, Dickens on Centre, a Victorian-themed Christmas festival, follows in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Every year, new yard decorating options are offered up. Inflatables continue to be popular. Bobbing in the wind, they look like miniature Macy's Parade balloons that have somehow escaped. Lights that blink and change colors add variety. The deer outlined in white lights remain favorites. Some yards feature religious themes, making clear to all that their decorations are “Christmas” and not “holiday.”

We chuckle as we take in some of the more fantastic displays and wonder how long it took to create them. We wonder too, how compatible the decorators are as they untangle lights and try to agree on “placement.” Holiday stress combined with things involving electricity can add up to disaster. Whatever the process and family dynamics, the end results are very impressive — our island sparkles with lights of all colors and in every conceivable configuration.

I think everyone will agree that the very best lights on the island are the sparkling lights that fill the trees along Centre Street. I have always loved the quote from a child when asked what her favorite color was. She quickly replied, “Christmas lights.”

So when a Scrooge mood attacks, take a time out. Crank up Christmas music on the car radio and enjoy an island light tour.

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