Saving energy, but totally bummed out

We are trying.  We really are.  My husband and I are trying to be more green, more fiscally sound, just plain more responsible.   We turn out the lights as we exit a room.   We do not run the water while we brush our teeth.  Well, my husband does this all the time and I, honestly, try to remember.   I shop local and buy organic as much as possible.  We reuse, reduce and recycle!   We paid off all our debt.   I mean really in this economy, did we have a choice?  All in all, we feel great about making these small changes and we are continuing to find ways to improve our way of life.

Now, Christmas is upon us.  Actually, it is in days not even weeks anymore.   We are continuing to decorate and probably will not be finished until December 24th.   As I ride around town and pass all the lit up houses, I can not help but think of all the energy being wasted.   Yes, some of the houses are beautiful with their drizzle lights and greens draping from their window panes.   Oh, and then there are the 'Griswald's'.   I would love to see their PECO bill for December, actually even November as so many houses were a blaze by mid-November in our neighborhood.  As for our home, we stayed simple and barely used Christmas lights.   The lights we used outside are LED, which brings me to the true meaning of my title.

I should have posted the title, "LED Christmas lights are really bumming us out".   I grew up hanging beautiful white lights outside, on our tree and around the house (mantles, up the stairs, etc...).   But this year, my husband and I kept it to a minimal.   We have a few outside, some on the tree and the mantle.   The LED lights outside, even though they state "white lights" have a blue/purple tint.   After my husband put the two sets of drizzle lights on the front porch, we stood outside in amazement and (sort of) disappointment.   My husband immediately said "don't like them"!   I wanted to plead the case, "these lights are a responsible choice" and "if we are going to have Christmas lights then we are using the LED ones".   He agreed and they remain there today.

I need to be honest.   I hate them!   At night, when I pull up to the house, I am disappointed.   And even though multiple people have complimented us on our "responsible" choice, I am not too sure we will go this route next year.   Now, I find myself jealous of all those "irresponsible, energy sucking" neighbors who have the beautiful lit up houses and spew Christmas spirit.   As I ride through our neighborhood, I am actually sad, because I know I will end up in the driveway of the eerily, glowing house not a twinkling, beautifully lit up house I now desire more than anything.  I pull up to a house that looks like it has been under a mad scientist spell, rather than all dressed up for the holidays.

So, this may sound silly to most, perhaps it hits home to others, but I am serious.   These LED lights are bumming me out.   I think they are attacking my Christmas spirit.   Okay, perhaps I joke with that statement.   However next year, I may actually channel my inner 'Griswald', if only for a week or two...

This is an original Philly Moms Blog post. You can also enjoy ridiculously silly posts at Courtney's personal blog, Mommie Blogs.